Senior Flight Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer (All genders)

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 a Senior Embedded Software Engineer you will play a key role in designing, developing, and optimizing software for real-time embedded systems in our platforms. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware engineers, systems engineers, and flight software teams to deliver robust and secure embedded solutions.  You will design and develop low-level embedded firmware for safety-critical drone systems. You will own real-time firmware components running on STM32-based platforms, enabling reliable communication, control, and fault-handling capabilities in mission-critical environments. You will work close to the hardware, contributing to system integration, debugging, and safety-oriented embedded architecture in compliance-driven development environments. RESPONSIBILITIES * Develop embedded firmware in native C for STM32-based embedded systems * Design and implement real-time software for safety-critical drone and aerospace applications * Build low-level drivers, communication interfaces, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers * Implement robust fault detection, watchdog, redundancy, and failsafe mechanisms * Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to support board bring-up, validation, and system integration * Analyse and troubleshoot complex hardware-software interaction issues using oscilloscopes, debuggers, and logic analysers * Contribute to safety-critical development processes, verification activities, and technical documentation * Support architecture discussions and technical decision-making for embedded platform development * Ensure firmware reliability, maintainability, and deterministic real-time behaviour under demanding operating conditions QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor's Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.  * 5+ years of embedded firmware development experience * Strong native C programming skills in embedded or low-level environments * Hands-on experience with STM32 microcontrollers  * Experience developing real-time embedded systems using RTOS or bare-metal architectures * Ability to read schematics and collaborate effectively with hardware engineering teams * Strong debugging and hardware interaction skills using embedded development and measurement tools * Strong systematic and analytical thinking skills NICE TO HAVE * Experience with IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or DO-178C environments * German language skills for collaboration with customers and procurement stakeholders * SIL2, functional safety, or equivalent safety-critical software development experience * Exposure to drone, avionics, robotics, or autonomous systems development * Experience working within regulated or high-reliability industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, railway, industrial automation, or medical devices

Senior Software Engineer - Mission Autonomy (All Genders)

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionizing 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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments. We're 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 Minerva is STARK's command and control software — the brain that connects operators to autonomous systems across multiple domains in real time. The Minerva team is a small, senior software group based in Berlin and Munich, working directly with our systems and hardware teams to build mission-critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments. We move fast, ship real software, and operate under constraints most engineers never encounter — low-bandwidth networks, air-gapped devices, high-stakes decision loops. There is no room for abstraction for its own sake. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field. YOUR MISSION As a Senior Software Engineer, Mission Autonomy , build the intelligence behind real UAV swarming - the algorithms that decide which vehicle attacks which target, how the swarm re-organises when conditions change mid-mission, and how 4+ loitering munitions coordinate autonomously to overwhelm adversary defences. You will design and implement the swarm decision-making layer at the heart of Minerva Frontline, our Mission Management Software. This means building the optimisation and planning algorithms that sit above our existing mission planning engine, turning a set of operator-level objectives and battlefield conditions into coordinated, multi-vehicle strike missions—then dynamically re-planning them when the battlefield shifts. This is Genesis-stage work. There is no off-the-shelf library for what we're building. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with our Software Architect and our backend team to take swarm coordination from concept to live flight demonstration. If you want to solve hard multi-agent problems that have real consequences in the physical world, this is the role. RESPONSIBILITIES * Architect the Swarm Brain: Design and implement the task allocation engines (auction-based allocation, Hungarian method, constraint satisfaction) that optimally assign multiple vehicles to multiple targets in high-threat environments. * Build Dynamic Re-Planning Loops: Develop real-time, deterministic algorithms that allow a swarm to adapt mid-flight. When threats appear, targets move, or a drone is jammed, your software will re-evaluate the entire battlefield and push new coordinates instantly. * Own the Optimization Layer: Build the high-level planning architecture that sits above our static mission routing engine. Your layer will decompose abstract operator objectives into specific vehicle assignments. * Simulate and Fly: Own our Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) environment to ruthlessly test and break swarm behaviors with 4+ virtual vehicles. Once validated in simulation, you will step out into the field to deploy your code onto live aircraft. QUALIFICATIONS * Production-Grade Modern C++: Python is fine for math prototyping, but our production engine runs on C++ where latency, memory efficiency, and deterministic reliability are non-negotiable. You must be comfortable owning and scaling this codebase. * 5+ Years of Autonomy/Robotics Experience: You have a proven track record of taking complex motion planning, routing, or distributed coordination algorithms out of theory and shipping them into production or rugged field environments. * Mathematical Fluency: Deep expertise in combinatorial optimization, graph theory, and multi-agent coordination. If we hand you a research paper on CBBA (Consensus-Based Bundle Algorithm), you can map out a working C++ prototype by the end of the week. * Systems-Level Thinking: You don't build algorithms in a vacuum. You care about how your planning layer interfaces with gRPC services, telemetry feeds, state management, and the operator's user interface. * High Agency & Field Mentality: You don't wait for product managers to write perfect specifications. You define the problem mathematically, build the solution, and travel to live flight trials to watch your code execute in the real world.

Lead Flight Software

The Exploration Company

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. The Lead Flight Software owns the end-to-end delivery of all flight software, simulation environments, and supporting tools and software test setups required to fly, verify, and certify the vehicle. This is a hands-on leadership role. You will manage four teams (~20 engineers total) while staying technically sharp and deeply involved in architecture, trade-offs, and critical design decisions. You are accountable for delivering reliable, certifiable software in a fast-moving, resource-constrained startup environment. WHAT YOU WILL DO You will define and evolve the overall flight software architecture, ensuring that it is robust, scalable, and aligned with mission and safety requirements. You will personally drive key architectural and system-level decisions, review critical designs and code, and ensure that technical trade-offs are made deliberately and transparently. You will establish a strong interface between flight software, avionics, GNC, systems engineering, and safety teams, making sure that integration risks are identified early and resolved systematically. You will shape the verification and validation ecosystem, including SIL, HIL, and Monte Carlo campaigns, and automated test pipelines. It will be your responsibility to ensure that simulation and testing are not afterthoughts but central pillars of the program. You will align software development plans with overall program milestones and vehicle integration timelines. You will represent flight software in major program reviews and external technical exchanges, including certification discussions with NASA and other stakeholders, and you will ensure a professional and well-prepared interface with IV&V organizations. At the same time, you will build and lead a high-performing organization. You will coach team leads, grow senior engineers, establish engineering standards, and create a culture of ownership and accountability. You will set expectations clearly, make hard calls when needed, and ensure that the team delivers, all while prioritizing working software over paperwork without losing track of certification goals. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES In your capacity as a Lead Flight Software, your role will be continuously evolving, but day to day your duties will include: * Lead the design, development, and testing of the flight software for the spacecraft and all related elements * Manage and oversee the software development team to ensure timely delivery of high-quality software * Collaborate with other teams and departments, such as avionics, GNC, and systems, to ensure seamless integration of the software with other systems * Develop and implement software development processes and best practices to ensure efficient and effective development * Ensure the software meets all safety, performance, and reliability requirements * Continuously evaluate and improve the software to meet changing mission needs and incorporate new technologies * Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in software development for spacecraft and related systems. * Get your hands-dirty by contributing to the flight software code and tests * Promote and develop the skills and capabilities of your team members and support their development WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE FROM YOU In the role of Lead Flight Software ideally, you will have the following: * Extensive experience in designing, developing, and testing flight software for spacecrafts or related systems * Strong leadership and management skills to lead a software development team and ensure timely delivery of high-quality software * Excellent collaboration skills to work effectively with other teams and departments, such as avionics and systems, to ensure seamless integration of the software with other systems * Knowledge and experience in implementing software development processes and best practices to ensure efficient and effective development * Ability to ensure the software meets all safety, performance, and reliability requirements and continuously evaluate and improve the software to meet changing mission needs and incorporate new technologies * Up-to-date knowledge of the latest advancements in software development for spacecraft and related systems * Hands-on coding and testing skills to contribute to the flight software code and tests with C/C++ * Ability to promote and develop the skills and capabilities of team members and support their development. Why you should join us! What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:   * We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind  * We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them   * We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?   We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly.    The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.   All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible. If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.