Manufacturing Engineering Manager (all genders)

STARK

ABOUT US ABOUT US STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective — providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments. We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems — not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe, today. ABOUT THE TEAM ABOUT THE TEAM You will be an integral part of our growing Quality Management Team, reporting directly to the Quality Manager Production. In this role, you are not isolated in an office—you function as the central quality anchor on the production floor, acting as the collaborative bridge between shop-floor execution, engineering strategy, and customer expectations. YOUR MISSION YOUR MISSION You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to implement robust quality processes, manage non-conformances with a structured problem-solving mindset, and foster a strong culture of quality awareness throughout the organization. Whether you hold an engineering degree or are a highly skilled Staatlich geprüfter Techniker, your hands-on approach and sharp analytical thinking will directly ensure our mission-critical systems meet the highest standards of safety, precision, and customer satisfaction. RESPONSIBILITIES * Participation in projects aimed at reducing errors and continuously improving processes and product quality * Develop quality processes together with the QM team * Handling customer, supplier, and internal Non-Conformances, as well as structured management of sustainable problem-solving processes * Drive Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to eliminate systematic assembly errors and reduce scrap rates. * Close collaboration with Production, Production Engineering, R&D and Supply Chain * Conducting internal audits and systematically following up on audit findings * Promoting quality awareness throughout the company and raising awareness of customer requirements * Design, organization, and conduction of quality training programs QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Manufacturing Engineering, OR * A German degree as “Staatlich geprüfter Techniker” specializing in electronics or mechanical engineering with equivalent, proven professional experience in a high-tech manufacturing environment. * 3–5+ years of quality engineering experience within the defense, aerospace, or automotive industry * Strong commitment to quality and a high level of customer focus * Strong organizational and communication skills * Strong technical understanding, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills * Ability to work well in a team, a structured approach to work, and a hands-on mindset * Business-level proficiency in German and English. NICE TO HAVE * Experience with ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality management systems * In-depth knowledge of relevant quality management tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, etc.). * Green Belt or Black Belt certification with a focus on statistical process control (SPC) in a manufacturing environment. * Experience using Computer-Aided Quality (CAQ) software

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective — providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments. We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems — not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe, today. ABOUT THE TEAM You will be an integral part of our growing Quality Management Team, reporting directly to the Quality Manager Production. You will directly manage a dedicated, agile team of quality technicians who are eyes and ears on the ground. You will work side by side with production shift supervisors, manufacturing engineers, and the quality engineers. Your relationship with them is collaborative, not adversarial - together, you ensure that high throughput never compromises high quality. YOUR MISSION Your mission is to lead by example on the manufacturing floor. You will inspire, coach, and elevate your QA technicians.You are not just a gatekeeper checking boxes at the end of a line; you are the architect of a proactive quality culture.  You will empower your team ensuring that our customers receive flawless products every single time. RESPONSIBILITIES * Lead, coach, and manage a team of Production QA Technicians * Schedule and assign QA personnel to production lines based on daily manufacturing priorities. * Deciding on the withholding of defective products and initiating immediate corrective actions in the event of quality deviations. * Oversee the containment, isolation, and documentation of non-conforming materials or products. * Close collaboration with Production, Production Engineering, R&D and Supply Chain * Ensuring the quality of products delivered to the customer * Actively participating in the further development of inspection processes and the implementation of new inspection methods. * Develop and execute training programs to ensure the QA team is fully aligned on inspection techniques, safety protocols, and testing methodologies. QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Quality Management, or a related technical field,  OR * A German degree as “Meister”, “Staatlich geprüfter Techniker” specializing in electronics or mechanical engineering with equivalent, proven professional experience in a high-tech manufacturing environment. * 3–5 years of experience in a production/manufacturing QA environment, with at least 1–2 years in a supervisory or lead capacity * Strong commitment to quality and a high level of customer focus * Strong organizational and communication skills * Strong technical understanding, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills * Ability to work well in a team, a structured approach to work, and a hands-on mindset * Business-level proficiency in German and English. NICE TO HAVE * Strong understanding of Quality Management Systems * Experience in relevant quality management tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, etc.). * Experience using Computer-Aided Quality (CAQ) software

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective - providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments. We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems - not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe, today. YOUR MISSION As the Manufacturing Engineer, you will act as the vital bridge between R&D and mass production. Your primary focus is on Industrialization, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and Risk Mitigation (FMEA). You will embed yourself with the R&D team early in the design phase to ensure that next-generation products are optimized for high-yield, cost-effective, and scalable manufacturing. RESPONSIBILITIES * DFM/DFA Integration: Collaborate closely with R&D during early design cycles. Conduct rigorous Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews to simplify designs and prepare them for automated production. * FMEA Leadership: Lead and document Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) workshops to proactively identify manufacturing risks and implement effective mitigation strategies. * Industrialization: Own the manufacturing ramp-up during. Track and manage the transition from prototype builds to pilot runs and eventual mass production. * Quality & Validation: Define early-stage quality criteria, design assembly fixtures, and collaborate with quality teams to validate that production processes meet product specifications. * General ME Support: Provide technical feedback to R&D regarding manufacturing capabilities, tolerance stack-ups, and material selection impact on production. QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field. * Proven track record in NPI/Industrialization environments, successfully transitioning products from engineering labs to the factory floor. * High proficiency in running PFMEAs and applying DFM/DFA principles. Strong 3D CAD skills (SolidWorks, Creo, etc.) are essential. For further information please reach out to talent@stark-defence.com.