You want to help build Europe’s resilience? You want to protect people and critical infrastructure – ultimately saving the lives of thousands?

You want to work at the frontier of high-performance autonomous systems?

Join us at CDDS to design and manufacture the next generation of high-speed kinetic interceptor drones.

CDDS (Counter-Drone Defense Systems) specializes in developing low-collateral kinetic interceptors designed to neutralize malicious drones. Our solutions are built for precision and safety, minimizing risk to surroundings while effectively countering unauthorized or threatening unmanned aerial systems. We work at the cutting edge of counter-drone technology, delivering reliable protection for critical assets and environments.

Tasks

Your Mission

We are looking for a hands-on Mechanical Engineer to own the mechanical design, prototyping, and manufacturing readiness of our interceptor drone.
You will design components optimised for weight, robustness, and efficient assembly – taking them from SolidWorks to production-ready parts.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and iterate on mechanical components and assemblies in SolidWorks, optimised for weight, strength, and manufacturability
• Develop 3D-printed and injection-moulded parts from concept through prototyping to production
• Design for efficient assembly: select fasteners, interfaces, and joining methods that minimise build time and maximise reliability
• Collaborate with the drone and aerodynamics engineers on airframe integration and structural design
• Support production scaling and maintain BOM, drawing packages, and assembly documentation
• Conduct mechanical testing and validate designs against real-world loads and flight conditions

Requirements

Required

• BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, or similar – industry experience required
• Strong SolidWorks proficiency (3D modelling, assemblies, drawings)
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM): injection moulding, 3D printing, CNC machining
• Knowledge of fastener selection and efficient mechanical joining for rapid assembly
• Hands-on prototyping experience – you build what you design
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, high-ownership startup with long hours when the mission demands it

Nice-to-Have

• Aerodynamic or lightweight structures background
• Experience with FEA for structural validation
• Background in drone or UAV mechanical design
• Familiarity with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
• Experience scaling from prototype to series production (2000+ units/year)

Benefits

Why CDDS

• Direct impact on mission-critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
• Fast-moving startup – your designs fly within days of leaving SolidWorks
• Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands-on team
• Real-world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
• Attractive compensation

Details

• Location: Bei Zürich Hardbrücke
• Start date: ASAP
• Environment: Rapidly growing deep-tech startup, high-impact mission

DETAILS

• Location: Schlieren (Zurich), on‑site
• Start date: ASAP
• Environment: Rapidly growing deep‑tech startup, high‑impact mission