UAV Lead Engineer - ArduPilot / PX4

Imagine this: you own the flight-control architecture behind a jet-powered autonomous interceptor approaching Mach 1.Aerlijn is developing a new generation of high-speed unmanned interceptors for counter-UAS and air-defence applications. Our systems combine extreme vehicle performance with autonomous guidance, onboard perception, and modern flight-control software.We are looking for a UAV Lead Engineer to take technical ownership of the flight-control stack behind these systems.This is not a role focused on configuring an off-the-shelf autopilot for a conventional drone. You will work at the boundary between UAV engineering and high-performance aerospace: extending and adapting ArduPilot and/or PX4 for vehicles operating at speeds and dynamic conditions far beyond those of typical fixed-wing UAVs.You will own the path from simulation and control-law development through autopilot implementation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, flight testing, and ultimately operational deployment.What you will doOwn the flight-control and autopilot architecture for Aerlijn’s high-speed UAV and interceptor platforms.Develop, modify, and maintain flight-control software based on ArduPilot and/or PX4.Develop and tune control laws for highly dynamic fixed-wing vehicles across launch, acceleration, cruise, terminal manoeuvring, and recovery phases.Extend the autopilot where standard ArduPilot/PX4 functionality is insufficient, working directly with the underlying C/C++ flight-control codebase.Develop and validate navigation, state-estimation, actuator-control, failsafe, and mission-management functionality.Integrate onboard sensors including IMUs, GNSS, air-data sensors, magnetometers, radar/vision inputs, and other navigation sources.Integrate autopilot functionality with Aerlijn’s autonomous guidance and target-interception systems.Build and maintain SITL and HIL/HITL simulation environments for rapid development and validation.Analyse flight logs and telemetry to identify instability, estimator errors, actuator limitations, aerodynamic effects, and other performance constraints.Translate flight-test results into improvements to control laws, vehicle configuration, avionics, and airframe requirements.Work directly with mechanical, avionics, propulsion, autonomy, and computer-vision engineers during vehicle development.8% monthly holiday allowanceLunch from a Mechlin Chef (no bitterballen)Equity Options