At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.
We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.
Why Join Us?
- The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.
- You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.
- We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.
About the Team
You will join a highly dedicated and collaborative manufacturing engineering team working closely with R&D, production, automation, and operations. The team is made up of experienced, hands-on people who are passionate about turning complex designs into scalable, efficient, and reliable production systems.
Your Mission
We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Manufacturing Engineering Manager to bridge the gap between innovation and execution. In this role, you will lead the transition of next-generation products from concept to high-volume production.
You will work at the critical intersection of R&D and operations, guiding the industrialization process, developing cutting-edge production workflows, and collaborating with R&D engineers early in the design cycle to ensure products are optimized for automated manufacturing. If you thrive on turning complex designs into scalable, automated, and efficient production realities, we want you on our team.
Responsibilities
R&D Collaboration & Design for Automation
- Early-Stage Partnership: Partner closely with R&D teams during the prototyping phase to provide manufacturing feasibility feedback.
- Design for Excellence (DFX): Act as the champion for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), specifically guiding R&D to define product designs that lend themselves seamlessly to automated assembly.
- Standardization: Establish design guidelines that standardize components and processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Vendor & Capital Equipment Management
- Technical Specifications: Define technical requirements and author comprehensive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and functional specifications for custom automation equipment, robotics, and tooling.
- Vendor Selection & Evaluation: Scout, evaluate, and select world-class equipment vendors and automation system integrators based on capability, scalability, cost, and lead times.
- Milestone & Budget Tracking: Act as the primary point of contact for external vendors, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets and tracking project timelines to ensure machinery is delivered on schedule for product launches.
- Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT): Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor facilities and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) upon factory installation to guarantee equipment meets all cycle time, yield, and safety standards.
- SLA & Lifecycle Management: Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs), warranty terms, and preventative maintenance/spare-parts strategies with vendors to ensure long-term equipment reliability.
Industrialization
- Prototype to Scale: Oversee the build of pilot lines, identify scaling bottlenecks, and smoothly transition products from low-volume prototyping to mass production.
- Risk Mitigation: Conduct Design/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA/PFMEA) to identify and mitigate risks early in the product lifecycle.
Process Development & Optimization
- Workflow Design: Design, implement, and continuously improve production layouts, material flows, and line balances.
- Automation Strategy: Identify opportunities for automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) integration on the production floor.
- Documentation & Compliance: Oversee the creation of detailed manufacturing documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and routing sheets.
Team Leadership & Management
- Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of manufacturing and process engineers.
- KPI Management: Define and track team metrics, including cycle times, first-pass yield (FPY), overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets.
Required Skills
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's or MBA is a plus).
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
- NPI Expertise: Proven track record of successfully launching new products into production, specifically working side-by-side with R&D teams.
- Automation Savvy: Deep understanding of automated assembly processes, robotics, PLC programming, or vision systems, and how product design choices impact automation feasibility.
- Technical Arsenal: Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo), Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and PFMEA execution.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional cross-functional communication and negotiation skills—ability to speak the "language" of both abstract R&D and practical factory operations.
Nice-To-Have
- You have experience with high-volume manufacturing environments and the industrialization of complex hardware products.
- You have experience working with automation system integrators, robotics, or custom production equipment.
- You have exposure to Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, or advanced factory digitalization initiatives.
- You have experience managing CapEx projects and equipment installations from specification through FAT/SAT and production ramp-up.
Equal Opportunity:
At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.
If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications—ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points. We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.
Security Clearance:
Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.