Hardware Engineering Manager

At Lendurai , we enable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to operate independently of global navigation satellite systems and radio control using computer vision and machine learning.

We partner with multiple UAV manufacturers to deliver cost effective capabilities to public sector and defence customers.

Our core team has substantial experience in aerospace engineering and developing computer vision applications across Europe, including at companies like Bolt (EE), Open Cosmos (UK), and Starship Technologies (EE).

As a Hardware Engineering Manager , you will lead a small multidisciplinary team building and hardening Lendurai’s flight platforms.

You will own the hardware roadmap and execution cadence, driving reliable integration and disciplined iteration across mechanics, electronics, RF, compute, and sensors while improving processes, test rigor, and build repeatability.

What you will be doing Lead a multidisciplinary team (Flight Platform Engineers, Product Engineers, Electronics Engineers) and set clear ownership, goals, and an execution cadence.

Own the end-to-end hardware roadmap for Lendurai’s flight platforms, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, and system trade-offs.

Drive fast, disciplined iteration through build plans, testing processes, configuration control, and decision logs.

Ensure reliable integration across mechanics, electronics, RF links, compute, sensors, and firmware, and unblock root-cause issues quickly.

Define and run verification and reliability strategy, including test plans, acceptance criteria, flight-test instrumentation, incident tracking, and regression coverage.

Partner with software/ML teams to turn field findings into prioritized engineering work and ensure hardware observability for rapid debugging.

Plan and support field test events and defence demos, ensuring safety-first operations, readiness checklists, and post-event reporting.

Partner with our supply chain specialist to execute prototyping and sourcing, aligning engineering requirements with vendor selection, lead times, and quality gates, and ensuring designs are manufacturable and repeatable.

Build team capability and culture through hiring, coaching, performance management, and high standards.

We are looking for Required skills : At least BSc in an engineering discipline such as mechatronics, aerospace, or robotics, plus hands-on experience shipping real hardware.

At least 3 years of experience managing hardware or systems engineers. Ability to translate customer and field needs into requirements, interfaces, and system architecture, and make clear trade-offs and decisions.

Strong root-cause problem solving using structured debugging, hypotheses, and controlled tests, and the ability to drive fixes to closure.

Experience running a disciplined hardware development process with configuration/change control, revision management, and build-quality standards while maintaining iteration speed.

Clear, unambiguous communication in English, including running design and readiness reviews and producing crisp status updates, incident reports, and post-test reporting.

Additional skills that are nice to have : Built or supported UAV, robotics, or mobile autonomy platforms in the field, not just in a lab.

Familiar with PX4/ArduPilot, MAVLink tooling, and turning flight logs/telemetry into engineering actions. Practical RF experience, including antenna integration, interference troubleshooting, and improving link reliability.

Experience taking hardware from prototype to small-batch production, supplier quality, and repeatable build documentation.

Experience working with defence or public sector customers, including demo readiness, documentation discipline, and stakeholder management.

Experience leading cross-site partners or OEM integrations, including interface control documents and integration checklists.

What we offer Monthly gross salary €5,000-8,000 based on experience and impact Stock options Ability to influence major technical decisions as an early hire A focus on outcomes Join Lendurai to be part of the forefront of defence technology innovation.