Automation Engineer

About the role

Imagine stepping into a role where ideas don’t stay on paper they turn into machines that power real flight systems. As we scale our manufacturing capabilities, automation is at the heart of how we ensure quality, repeatability, and safety in the production of our propulsion and pyrotechnic components. We’re looking for an Automation Engineer who thrives at the intersection of R&D and production, someone who can take an idea from concept to a running machine on the shop floor.

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

• Develop, build, and support automation solutions spanning R&D through in-house production of rocket motor and pyrotechnic components
• Design and develop machines and automated setups from the initial concept to the full integration of automation components (servo motors, cobots, PLCs, sensors, etc.)
• Build and test prototypes, iterate based on results, and drive solutions toward production readiness
• Support the maturation and transfer of R&D automation setups into reliable, repeatable manufacturing processes
• Program and integrate collaborative robots (cobots)
• Work closely with propulsion engineers, production teams, and safety specialists to ensure automation solutions meet performance, quality, and safety requirements
• Maintain technical documentation for machines, control systems, and automation procedures
• Contribute to continuous improvement of production processes through automation and digitalization

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Mechatronics or Electrical Engineering, or a related field – or equivalent training as an automation technician with a follow-on degree (HF/FH)
• 3–5 years of experience in automation engineering, ideally in a manufacturing or R&D environment
• Experience with electrical work including control cabinets, wiring diagrams and safety
• Hands-on experience designing and building machines or automated setups, from concept through commissioning
• Proficiency in PLC programming in structured text and industrial control systems (e.g. Codesys)
• Proficiency in integrating automation components: servo drives, pneumatics, sensors, and control systems
• Experience with cobot programming, ideally Universal Robots (UR) and Polyscope 5 or similar platforms
• Nice to have:experience with industrial robot arms (e.g. KUKA, Fanuc, or ABB) is a further plus
• Working knowledge of machine safety standards and relevant regulations – including CE machinery directive, SUVA requirements, and where applicable, ATEX or pyrotechnics-specific safety frameworks
• Structured, hands-on working style with a strong sense of ownership from prototype to production
• Good communication skills and comfort working in a cross-functional, fast-moving team
• Understanding of mechanical design principles; experience with CAD tools (e.g. Siemens NX, or similar) is an advantage
• Willingness to travel to different Destinus sites in Switzerland (max. 20%)

Who You Are

You thrive in environments where things are still being built, not just maintained. Ambiguity does not slow you down it pushes you to experiment, iterate, and find solutions that actually work on the shop floor. You are hands-on by nature, equally comfortable debugging a system, wiring a setup, or refining a process until it meets the highest standards of quality and safety.