Manufacturing Controls Lead – Core automation

Job description

**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.