The posting
Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability
At Hypersonica, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.
By joining Hypersonica, you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously.
We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence.
What you'll do
- Design and build reliable, deterministic interfaces and drivers, from drafting the first interface control document (ICDs), to testing with state-of-the-art HITL simulators.
- Own the validation logic between the planning software and the hardware.
- Build diagnostics and secure software-update paths for deployed equipment.
- Build SITL emulators for the hardware you integrate, so the simulation team and CI can test against them.
- Lead the software side of qualification. Write the verification plan, build requirements traceability from requirement to test to result, and make sure every release ships with its test evidence and a controlled configuration.
- Own the software assurance pipeline in CI/CD: reproducible builds, secure boot and OS hardening, code signing, software bills of materials (SBOMs) and static analysis.
- Use AI coding agents as normal engineering tools: to draft tests, interface code and emulators, to check traceability links, and to prepare evidence. You decide where they are used and how their output is reviewed. Engineers own and sign the evidence.
Who you are
- A software engineer with 5+ years' experience integrating software with hardware in aerospace, defence, rail, automotive, medical or another regulated field.
- Strong modern C++. Rust is welcome. Python for test automation and tooling.
- Hands-on with hardware interfaces and protocols: Ethernet (UDP/TCP), serial, and fieldbuses such as CAN, plus time synchronisation (PTP, GNSS time).
- You have taken software through a formal verification or qualification campaign: requirements-based testing, traceability, and configuration and change control.
- Comfortable with HITL testing; debugging across the hardware/software boundary.
- Able to explain technical risk clearly to systems and safety engineers, and to customers and assessors.
- You use AI agents in your own work, and you have clear views on where they help and where they don't.
What we offer
- A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
- Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
- High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
- A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
- A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
- Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.
At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply.
Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.
You can apply directly to this role or reach out to Nathan Sweeney, Head of Talent. We review every application and aim to respond to all candidates within two weeks, whether the answer is yes or no.
