---
title: 'Senior Design Engineer at Helsing'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-design-engineer-helsing-washington-aeqh10v8fse7'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Senior Design Engineer at Helsing

- **Company:** Helsing
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Posted:** 2026-06-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://helsing.ai/jobs/4895583101?gh_jid=4895583101

## Job description

## Who we are

Helsing develops artificial intelligence-enabled capabilities to protect and defend democracies. We are growing our US operations, cultivating an ambitious and committed team of mission-driven professionals to apply their skills to solve challenging problems.

## The role

As a Design Engineer, you will work on innovative UAV platforms, modifying and adapting existing mechanical and electrical designs to meet US customer requirements and specifications. You will design the mechanical and electrical architecture for various unmanned and autonomous systems, ensuring their design, implementation, and testing meets the needs of the end-user. You will work in close collaboration with systems engineers, embedded systems engineers, production teams, and customer-facing program managers.

Your role will be crucial in guiding the team's choices and ensuring the consistency of technical decisions. You will conceptualize innovative hardware configurations, conduct comprehensive trade studies, and create solutions optimized for both manufacturing efficiency and field assembly. Your expertise will be vital in realizing robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that enhance the performance of Helsing's UAV systems, directly supporting our mission to provide advanced defense capabilities.

The day-to-day

- Modify and adapt existing UAV platform mechanical and electrical designs and interfaces to meet US customer needs, specifications, and regulatory requirements
- Own subsystems design and participate in the overall development of platform architecture, ensuring consistency in decision-making meetings
- Conceptualize and design UAV and supporting system hardware configurations through comprehensive trade studies and analytical assessments
- Develop modular solutions using WOSA (Weapons Open Systems Architecture) standards to ensure interoperability and upgradability
- Create electronic architectures and mechanical design concepts, specification design, and select appropriate components
- Produce 3D and 2D documentation using SolidWorks or similar CAD/PLM tools, ensuring proper form, fit, and function of components by using analytical and simulation tools
- Integrate COTS/GOTS equipment to meet high-level system objectives while managing size, weight, power, and cost constraints
- Apply latest design and drawing standards, including ASME/ISO standards, GD&T, and strong consideration for manufacturing aspects
- Design for manufacturing (DFM) and end-user field assembly, developing robust, scalable, and cost-effective components
- Define and perform validation tests for technical maturation with general electronics and electrical troubleshooting, and mechanical testing
- Create comprehensive design documentation in accordance with company guidelines and quality standards

You should apply if you

- Have several years of experience in mechanical and/or electrical design for UAV platforms, aerospace systems, or similar demanding applications
- Hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
- Possess outstanding hands-on experience with 3D/2D CAD and PLM tools (preferably SolidWorks/PDM or similar platforms)
- Have strong knowledge of modular design principles and experience with WOSA or similar open systems architecture standards
- Demonstrate proven experience integrating COTS/GOTS equipment into complex systems
- Possess knowledge of electronic component integration, preferably using ECAD/MCAD interfaces for component realization
- Are keen on fast-track developments and realizations and are able to work independently, owning a project from concept to validation
- Enjoy working in a highly flexible environment

Note: We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarized in a few bullet points.

## Nice to Have

- Professional working experience with US defense customers and familiarity with US military specifications and standards
- Experience with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design, including airframe structures, propulsion integration, and payload mounting
- Knowledge of export control regulations (ITAR, EAR) and experience working on US defense programs
- Experience with schematic and PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design for embedded systems
- Familiarity with EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) design and validation
- Experience with actuators (brushed and brushless motors, servomotors, magnetic coupling) and sensors used in aerospace or mechatronics applications
- Background in Battery Management Systems and power circuit design
- Experience with environmental testing requirements (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity) for aerospace applications
- Familiarity with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) for structural and thermal analysis
- Understanding of airworthiness certification processes and safety assessment methodologies

Join Helsing and work with world-leading experts in their fields

- Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns

- The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world

- Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defense industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward

- In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts

- We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practice responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn’t work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about

## What we offer

- A focus on outcomes, not time-tracking

- A generous compensation and benefits package (in addition to base salary) that includes, but may not be limited to, insurance coverage (medical and travel), flexible paid time off, paid holidays, and remote and/or hybrid work available depending on position. All compensation and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying plans or programs, as applicable and as may be amended, terminated or superseded from time to time.

The base salary offered to the successful candidate will be determined by a variety of factors including relevant experience, qualifications, education, skill level, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.

Helsing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.

Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found [here](https://helsing.ai/candidate-privacy-and-confidentiality-regime/).

## About Helsing

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Helsing builds artificial intelligence-driven autonomous systems and defense hardware to protect democratic nations, integrating airborne, maritime, and electronic warfare capabilities.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series D in progress, May 2026)
- **Headquarters**: Munich, Germany
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Torsten Reil, Gundbert Scherf, Niklas Köhler

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Defense technology, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems
- Target customers: NATO-aligned governments, defense ministries, and allied militaries (B2G)
- Mission: "Protect our democracies" – using software and AI to enhance battlefield decision-making, precision engagement, and national security

## Products & Services
- **HX-2**: AI-enabled strike drone, mass-manufactured in “Resilience Factories” (1,000+ per month)
- **HF-1**: AI-powered electronic warfare system (autonomous combat aircraft for electronic attack)
- **SG-1 Fathom**: Underwater autonomous glider for maritime surveillance and infrastructure protection
- **Cirra**: AI for electronic warfare, already flight-tested (Feb 2026)
- **CA-1 Europa**: Joint project with HENSOLDT for advanced electronic attack capabilities
- **Altra**: Recce strike software for battlefield intelligence
- **Centaur**: AI system for autonomous air dominance
- **Lura**: Underwater autonomous mass system

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not disclosed (latest deal $1.2B in progress, May 2026)
- **Total Funding**: ~$1.5B (Series D $694M in July 2025; Series C $489M in July 2024; Series B $222M in Sept 2023; Series A $119M in Nov 2021; Seed in Jan 2021)
- **Key Investors**: Prima Materia (led Series A & D), General Catalyst (led Series B & C), plus 12 total investors
- **Key Partners**: HENSOLDT, EURENCO, Grob Aircraft (subsidiary), Airbus Defence and Space (talent source)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 78.4% YoY (515 employees per LinkedIn; PitchBook reports 900); second German Resilience Factory operational (Feb 2026); expanded to 17 countries; acquired HELSING LIMITED and Helsing Germany GmbH; 192 active job postings (June 2026)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full-stack defense AI**: Combines software, hardware, and mass manufacturing in-house, unlike traditional primes or pure software firms.
- **Resilience Factories**: Proprietary high-volume production lines for drones (1,000 HX-2/month) with local supply chains, enabling rapid scaling.
- **Ethical commitment**: Publicly emphasizes responsible AI deployment and democratic governance, differentiating from less transparent competitors.
- **Pan-European footprint**: Offices in Munich, London, Paris, Berlin – drawing top talent from across Europe and the US, with strong ties to governments.

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and underwater domains.
- Deepening partnerships with European defense ministries and industrial primes (e.g., HENSOLDT, EURENCO).
- Expanding electronic warfare and AI-powered strike capabilities (e.g., CA-1 Europa, Cirra).
- Recruiting heavily for AI research (RL, CV, foundation models, robotics), hardware engineering, and program management.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven**: Explicitly focused on protecting democratic values – attracts talent who want meaningful impact in defense.
- **Culture**: Values include “move fast, act with conviction, do what’s right – even when it’s hard”; ground-up playbook, skeptical of conventional wisdom.
- **Growth**: 78% YoY headcount growth, 192 open roles, and rapid internal advancement.
- **Diverse team**: Combines software engineers, deep learning specialists, program managers from top companies (Palantir, Google, Amazon, BAE Systems, McKinsey).
- **Locations**: Hybrid-friendly offices in Munich, London, Paris, Berlin; also remote or flexible for some roles.
- **Perks**: Not explicitly listed, but significant investment in R&D and manufacturing suggests strong resources for tools and equipment.

## Sources
1. [helsing.ai](https://helsing.ai/)
2. [helsing.ai/careers](https://helsing.ai/careers)
3. [linkedin.com/company/helsing](https://www.linkedin.com/company/helsing)
4. [pitchbook.com/profiles/company/481513-60](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/481513-60)

## Other roles at Helsing

- [Commercial Director](https://feeny.ai/job/commercial-director-helsing-munich-nrx1v118r35d) — Munich, Germany
- [Senior Flight Test Engineer {PL}](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-flight-test-engineer-pl-helsing-munich-0brx5h30nh5r) — Munich, Germany
- [(Senior) Programme Manager Mission Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-programme-manager-mission-systems-helsing-munich-wpnm64kf9x6q) — Munich, Germany
- [Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/guidance-navigation-control-engineer-helsing-london-z8wnt6e8nwq8) — London, United Kingdom
- [Workplace Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/workplace-manager-helsing-barcelona-s7t2ht20k0yv) — Barcelona, Spain
- [Team Lead - Training and Mission Success - International](https://feeny.ai/job/team-lead-training-and-mission-success-international-helsing-london-yc7xf7v2fk4f) — London, United Kingdom
- [Warehouse Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/warehouse-manager-helsing-munich-d3jw3ww8mer3) — Munich, Germany
- [Warehouse Clerk](https://feeny.ai/job/warehouse-clerk-helsing-munich-hte766v8ej6c) — Munich, Germany
- [Warehouse Operator](https://feeny.ai/job/warehouse-operator-helsing-munich-rv1me3vxmz29) — Munich, Germany
- [Senior Commercial Finance Business Partner](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-commercial-finance-business-partner-helsing-munich-wcm87snmyfbq) — Munich, Germany