R&D Director (design, integration & testing)
Company:
Confidential — disclosed to candidates at the interview stage after signing an NDA.
A Ukrainian developer and manufacturer of military UAVs. Key product: interceptor drones countering enemy strike UAVs — an innovative, codified product with in-house R&D and an operating serial-assembly production. Strategy: an R&D company focused on interceptors and small air-defence systems protecting troops and civilian infrastructure; serial volumes scale through partner production sites.
Markets:
Ukraine (defence and security sector).
Company stage:
N/A (private company).
Role description & who We are looking for
Lead the company's engineering ecosystem: development, testing and rapid transfer of interceptor drones and new products into serial production; build a strong, world-class engineering team.
Key responsibilities
Own the technical strategy and product architecture and make key technical decisions.
Lead all R&D directions (software, embedded, RF/communications, mechanics, flight control, batteries, testing).
Define the product roadmap and technical requirements for new products (interceptor, terminal guidance, platform integrations).
Organise bench and flight tests, validation and test ranges.
Transfer products into serial production (NPI), engineering documentation and design document flow.
Manage the R&D budget, risks and technical priorities.
Hire and grow engineers (headhunting the best from the Ukrainian and global markets, Agile development processes).
Requirements (must-have)
5+ years in engineering teams (preferably 10), including 3+ years leading multidisciplinary development.
Complex hardware-software products successfully brought to market / into serial production (project portfolio is mandatory).
Deep technical knowledge (UAV architecture, Ardupilot or PX4, avionics, embedded systems, radio communications and telemetry, aerodynamics, power/battery systems).
Understanding of serial production and design-for-manufacturing requirements.
Experience building development processes from scratch (requirements -> prototype -> testing -> serial production).
Nice-to-have
Experience with interceptor UAVs, VTOL, operating under electronic-warfare (EW) conditions.
Computer Vision and AI-based terminal guidance.
Defence project experience and interaction with military units during testing.
Terms of engagement
Target start date:
ASAP.
Salary:
UAH 200,000/month (net). The rate is a budget benchmark (net); negotiable for strong candidates.
Form of engagement:
Employee — official employment.
Reservation from mobilisation (Ukraine):
Can be discussed.
Polygraph required:
Yes — required at hiring.
Hiring process:
Agency screening -> interview with the hiring manager -> final interview with the CEO (for director-level roles, also with shareholders).
Selection checks (references & security):
Reference letters and reference calls with previous managers (minimum two), a security check, and a polygraph test at hiring.
R&D Director (design, integration & testing)
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