95 Manufacturing Controls Lead – Core automation

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

• Build the baseline for Hypersonica’s manufacturing controls platform. Developing standards on a PLC and controls component level
• Establish partnerships with component suppliers and create preferred standards and preferred component lists
• Create controls specifications for manufacturing equipment vendors and line integrators
• Support integration of in-line hardware and controls into enterprise and manufacturing execution systems and ensure data continuity between systems
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering and operations to capture use cases and requirements towards the controls systems.
• Collaborate with Quality and Data Engineering to define methods and tools to capture critical process information and data in line and ensure traceability requirements.
• Develop code standards / templates to be used by line integrators and equipment manufacturers.
• Create buy-off and testing requirements with regards to functionality, performance and safety, to be achieved during FAT / SAT from a controls perspective.
• Lead and work with international vendors and integrators to secure state-of-the-art equipment for production, supervision and testing.
• Produce and maintain clear documentation, including code, specifications, and design justifications.
• Act as a technically credible problem‑solver in ambiguous environments, closing decisions and keeping programs moving at pace.

Who You Are

• A senior automation / controls Engineer with extensive firsthand expertise and experience in automated, complex manufacturing with highest quality standards
• Experienced working on complex, integrated manufacturing systems. Ideally in aerospace, defence, or other high‑performance, cross functional environments under intense time pressure.
• Able to work in green field, shaping policy and standards from ground off.
• Dealing well with ambiguity and uncertainty, willing to anticipate, test and reconsider if necessary.
• Strong automation engineering fundamentals and understanding. Covering various levels of integration from an MES level down to PLC code structure.
• Pragmatic and delivery‑focused, able to make sound engineering trade‑offs without over‑engineering
• Comfortable collaborating across disciplines and acting as a technical integrator, not just a specialist.
• Hands‑on by instinct, willing to support build, integration, and test when needed.
• Calm and effective in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments where priorities evolve.
• Motivated by building real, high‑consequence hardware where mechanical and system correctness truly matter.

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.

Hypersonica is an equal‑opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.