Technical Co-Founder

About Alea Defense & Space Alea Defense & Space is a Portuguese defence company. We are developing Obsidian and the industrial base to build it in Portugal. Obsidian is a Portuguese uncrewed combat aircraft: a military platform with an AI mission core, designed to carry sensors and weapons made by others, under rules of engagement set by people, with a human on the loop. The command layer is a simulation and software-in-the-loop demonstrator at TRL 3 to 4, and the aircraft is in design. A sub-scale demonstrator is planned to fly in the first half of 2027. The role We are appointing a technical co-founder as Chief Technology Officer. You will own the engineering of the aircraft and build the team that delivers it, working alongside the CEO, Chris Marley, who leads customers, capital, requirements and doctrine. You will work with experienced contracted aerospace engineers and independent technical reviewers. We will consider candidates at any stage of their career, from experienced aircraft engineers to recent graduates who have designed, built or flown aircraft at university. This is a full-time role, and you must be based in Portugal. Responsibilities • Own the engineering of Obsidian, from the current design baseline through the sub-scale demonstrator to a full-scale prototype • Lead the demonstrator programme: design, build, systems integration and flight test • Set the airworthiness, safety and flight-test approach, and lead the work with the aviation authorities • Bring the command and autonomy software onto the aircraft, and own the interface between the two • Lead the technical interface with the partners whose sensors and weapons the aircraft is designed to carry • Build and lead the engineering team, starting with a lead for command and autonomy software • Hold technical authority for the company, including a veto on technical feasibility, and set the technical roadmap with the CEO • Represent Alea technically to defence customers, partners and investors Requirements • Based in Portugal • A degree in aerospace or aeronautical engineering, or a closely related discipline; recent graduates are welcome • Hands-on experience designing, building or flying aircraft, crewed or uncrewed, in industry, research or university projects and competitions such as the Air Cargo Challenge • Sound knowledge of aircraft design: aerodynamics, flight mechanics, structures, propulsion and sizing • Commitment to building a military aircraft designed to carry weapons, for the defence of Portugal and its allies • Able to obtain Portuguese national security clearance, which defence-industry licensing requires of shareholders and officers • Fluent English Strong advantages • Having taken an aircraft through design and build to first flight, in industry or at university • Flight dynamics or flight control experience • Technical leadership of an aircraft programme or a student aircraft team • Experience with UAS airworthiness or military certification • Working knowledge of Portuguese What we offer • Founder equity, subject to vesting • A salary of €70,000 gross per year, at parity with the CEO, from the close of our pre-seed round, which is in progress • Technical authority over a new Portuguese combat aircraft programme from its first design baseline How to apply Apply through this listing, with a short note on an aircraft or UAV you have designed, built or flown, in industry or at university, and your role in it. A CV is welcome but not required. Applications are handled in confidence. Please do not share confidential information belonging to a current or former employer. - Alea Defense & Space is an equal opportunity employer.