Prototype Design and Integration Engineer

About the role

Airbus Helicopters is looking for a Prototype Design and Integration Engineer (f/m) based in Getafe, within a cross-divisional project shaping autonomous flight for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and enabling 24/7 mission capabilities. The position is functionally attached to the Head of Engineering Spain and reports operationally to the Research and Innovation Leader in Spain. It is a permanent position.

Key responsibilities

• Lead preliminary mechanical, structural and electrical design of experimental UAS prototypes, mounting provisions and modular payload enclosures.
• Define, document and manage Interface Control Documents (ICDs) covering mechanical attachments, power distribution, thermal dissipation and high-speed data links between sensors, AI units and flight test platforms.
• Study and integrate experimental mission systems into uncrewed and crewed flight test assets, ensuring structural integrity, mass balance and minimal aeromechanical impact.
• Use rapid prototyping, additive manufacturing, precision CNC and custom wire harnesses to speed up iteration cycles.
• Supervise fit-checks, mechanical installation, electrical bench integration and thermal/EMI risk reduction before flight trials.
• Coordinate with structural, system safety and airworthiness specialists on permit-to-fly documentation and safe-for-flight criteria.
• Optimize Size, Weight, Power and Cooling (SWaP-C) across prototype variants.

Required profile

• Degree or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical, Mechatronics or Systems Engineering; specialization in aerospace vehicle design or mechatronic prototyping is highly valued.
• At least 5 years of experience in aerospace mechanical design, physical systems integration or rapid prototyping within an OEM, flight test unit or agile robotics company.
• Proven track record of multi-disciplinary ICDs and integrating electro-optical payloads, computing modules and power distribution units.
• Understanding of aircraft weight and balance, structural load paths, thermal dissipation and basic aerodynamics.
• Familiarity with modification design principles, DO-160 environmental qualification and EASA/national experimental flight permits.
• Fluent English (C1 minimum) and Spanish; sporadic national and European travel for flight testing.

Required skills

• 3D CAD (CATIA V5/3DX, SolidWorks) for structural packaging, brackets, fairings and assemblies.
• Additive manufacturing, rapid tooling and aerospace harness assembly.