Automation Engineer
Destinus
Automation Engineer
Destinus
European defense firm manufacturing missiles
Destinus · Hengelo, Netherlands · Full-time · Posted 2026-07-26
Workplace: on_site
Department: Production & Manufacturing
Imagine standing at the very intersection where innovation meets reality. On one side, our engineers are designing cutting-edge UAV systems; on the other, production teams are assembling machines that will define the future of defense. We are looking for an Automation Engineer to join our Production/Testing Team, with a strong focus on automating test activities for electronic systems and laboratory setups. This role involves close collaboration with R&D and Production teams, while being an integral part of the Testing Team, contributing to the development of both software and hardware solutions aimed at improving test efficiency, repeatability, and reliability.
At Destinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry with cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness. Destinus partners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission-critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.
What You’ll Do
Design, develop, and maintain automation solutions for test activities.
Write scripts and software applications to control test rigs, measurement instruments, and data acquisition systems.
What You’ll Need
Who You Are
You are a hands-on engineer who feels at home where hardware meets software, comfortable moving between lab setups, electronic systems, and automation code without friction. You naturally understand how complex systems behave, allowing you to translate test needs into robust automated solutions that improve efficiency, repeatability, and reliability. You enjoy collaborating closely with R&D and Production teams, speaking the same technical language and keeping a strong focus on real-world constraints. Quality matters to you, especially in high-stakes environments, and you take ownership of building test systems that engineers can trust.
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Destinus designs and manufactures defense systems for European and allied armed forces, focusing on scalable missiles, air defense, and interception. Key products include the Ruta cruise missile and the HORNET interceptor, which can perform precision strikes and operate in GPS-denied environments with AI-assisted guidance. It serves as a prime contractor under fixed-price contracts, and collaborates on naval applications (containerized HORNET) with Rheinmetall while leading the Bliksem EXO program for Europe’s sovereign exo-atmospheric missile defense. The company aims to scale production to deliver near-term military capability for European governments and to build sovereign defense capabilities through integrated, multi-domain, cost-effective technologies.
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