Prototyping Engineer

As a Rapid Prototyping Engineer, you will sit at the intersection of mechanical design, electrical integration, and hardware iteration. You will translate complex concepts and incomplete designs into functional, flight-ready physical prototypes for Helsing's advanced drone platforms. Working closely with design and test engineers, you will own the full build cycle from concept through to field testing, identifying integration bottlenecks, developing custom hardware solutions, and keeping Helsing's developmental fleet operational and ready for flight. Your work directly enables faster learning cycles and more capable platforms, with tangible impact on the pace and quality of Helsing's hardware development programme.

• Design, fabricate, and assemble flight-ready prototypes, covering complex folding structures, deployment mechanisms, and integrated avionics bays, translating incomplete or evolving designs into testable hardware on short timescales.
• Modify airframes, build custom electrical wiring harnesses, and integrate power distribution and avionics systems to sustain rapid iteration across Helsing's developmental drone fleet.
• Integrate and configure flight control platforms (PX4, ArduPilot, or equivalent autopilots), flash firmware, calibrate onboard sensors, and resolve system anomalies during bench and pre-flight testing.
• Plan and execute functional and lifetime test campaigns in the field, using telemetry data to close the loop between physical results and CAD model refinement, maturing prototypes through successive iterations.
• Collaborate with design and test engineers to surface integration risks early, delivering targeted hardware solutions that keep the developmental fleet on schedule and mission-ready.

• Have taken unmanned aerial systems (multicopter, fixed-wing, FPV, or ISR platforms) or highly complex mechanical or robotic systems through the full cycle from concept to physical assembly to field testing.
• Are proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks/PDM or Siemens NX/Teamcenter) and have applied structural validation techniques, including FEA, to aerospace or UAV hardware, with a solid understanding of GD&T.
• Are skilled in workshop fabrication, with hands-on experience working with composites, metals, 3D printers, precision hand tools, and soldering stations to build, modify, and reinforce structures.
• Have practical experience integrating and troubleshooting flight control platforms, payload electronics, and power distribution systems on UAV or similarly complex platforms.
• Are comfortable working with incomplete documentation and evolving requirements, taking end-to-end ownership of outcomes and applying sound engineering judgement to keep work moving forward.

Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.