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.
Your Mission
You own the software architecture across the airborne companion computer, autopilot integration, and mission management subsystems. You aren't just writing application code; you are architecting the resilient airborne software platform that coordinates flight control, mission logic, sensor payloads, and tactical datalinks under microsecond constraints.
Responsibilities
- Airborne Software Architecture: Architect and maintain airborne flight-critical software modules and middleware interfacing the PX4 flight stack with the companion computer.
- State Machines & Failsafes: Lead the implementation of robust vehicle state machines, mission logic, failsafe managers, and health monitoring daemons.
- Code Quality & Standards: Lead software architecture reviews, enforce modern coding standards, and implement fail-safe communication protocols across onboard vehicle networks.
- Deterministic Execution: Design diagnostic telemetry pipelines and collaborate with control engineers to ensure deterministic real-time software execution.
- CI/CD & Simulation: Establish automated unit/integration testing and CI/CD simulation pipelines (SITL/HIL).
- Mentorship: Mentor software engineers through rigorous code reviews and architectural discussions.
Required Skills
- 5–8 years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, aerospace, autonomous systems, or mission-critical software.
- Demonstrated experience architecting and shipping complex C++ software on deployed robotic platforms.
- Mastery of modern coding standards, object-oriented design, multithreading, and Linux systems programming.
- Deep familiarity with PX4 Autopilot architecture, MAVLink, uORB, and ROS 2 / DDS middleware.
- Experience with automated testing frameworks, Docker, Gitlab CI, and static analysis tools.
- Professional working proficiency in English; NATO citizen.
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.