Flight Test Engineer / UAV Pilot (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. 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. YOUR MISSION As a Mechanical Design Engineer at STARK, you will be a key contributor to the mechanical architecture of our next-generation UAV platforms. This isn't a role for someone who wants to stay behind a desk; you will take subsystems from initial concept through to high-rate production, working closely with our manufacturing facilities. You’ll be the bridge between ambitious design and reality, diving deep into CAD and Design for Manufacture (DFM). You will work within an agile, cross-functional team to ensure our airframes are robust, cost-effective, and ready for the field. RESPONSIBILITIES * Take ownership of major mechanical assemblies and payload integrations for current and future UAV platforms. * Optimise designs for high-rate production, ensuring we can scale from prototype to hundreds of units without compromising quality. * Apply best practices in parametric modeling, GD&T, and tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure "first-time-right" assembly. * Drive decisions on airframe materials, structural layouts, and manufacturing processes (composites, additive, etc.). * Partner with Stress, Flight Test, and Systems teams to ensure structural integrity and successful flight trials. * Be hands-on with CAD, rapid prototyping, and shop-floor troubleshooting to iterate designs at pace. QUALIFICATIONS * Professional experience in mechanical design, ideally within aerospace, UAVs, automotive, or autonomous systems. * A proven track record of taking parts or structures from a sketch through to verification and into production. * Highly proficient in SolidWorks (CATIA experience is also beneficial). * Strong knowledge of composites, 3D printing, machining, and injection molding. * Familiarity with (or a desire to learn) MIL standards and certification pathways. * Ability to explain complex technical trade-offs to both engineering peers and program leadership. * Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. Our Commitment to the Armed Forces Community We are proud to hold the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), reflecting our meaningful commitment and ongoing support for UK defence personnel. At our core, we believe in championing those who serve, those who have served, and their families. As part of this scheme, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment where members of the Armed Forces community can thrive and bring their invaluable skills to our team.

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. YOUR MISSION As our Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will own the mechanical architecture of STARK’s next-generation UAV platforms from concept to high-rate production. You will set technical direction, mentor engineers, and work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver highly reliable, certifiable, and field-deployable systems under aggressive timelines. You will both define mechanical design strategy and dive deep into CAD, tolerance stacks, and Design for Manufacture/Assembly (DFMA) prototypes. You will act as the company’s authority on mechanical design for airframes and payload integration, influencing platform-level decisions and ensuring designs are robust, scalable, cost-effective for mass production, and certifiable. RESPONSIBILITIES * Lead mechanical design for UK current and future UAV platforms * Define and enforce best practices for parametric modeling, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups * Drive airframe material selection, structural layout, and manufacturability decisions * Oversee supplier engagement for structural components, composites, and assemblies Collaborate with stress, flight test, and systems teams to ensure structural integrity * Support and occasionally lead design reviews with leadership, partners, and certifying authorities * Lead mechanical design for UK current and future UAV platforms, focusing on design-for-manufacture (DFM) and high-rate production methods * Define and enforce best practices for parametric modeling, GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups, with an emphasis on production efficiency * Collaborate with stress, flight test, and systems teams to ensure structural integrity while optimising designs for mass production * Support and occasionally lead design reviews with leadership, partners, and certifying authorities, presenting trade-offs for production scale * Be hands-on with CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA), prototyping, and shop-floor troubleshooting, with a focus on process and design optimization for rate increase QUALIFICATIONS * Mechanical design experience, in ideally in aerospace / UAV / autonomous systems  * Proven record of taking structures from concept through verification to high rate production (wing, fuselage, empennage) * Expert in SolidWorks (CATIA V5/V6 a plus) and tolerance stack analysis * Strong knowledge of composites, 3D printing, machining, injection moulding, and joining methods * Familiarity with MIL standards and EASA/FAA certification pathways (SC-Light UAS, CS-23) * Excellent communication skills  - able to influence at exec and program level * Eligible for UK Security Clearance Our Commitment to the Armed Forces Community We are proud to hold the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), reflecting our meaningful commitment and ongoing support for UK defence personnel. At our core, we believe in championing those who serve, those who have served, and their families. As part of this scheme, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment where members of the Armed Forces community can thrive and bring their invaluable skills to our team.

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a European defence technology company founded in 2023, specialising in the development and production of advanced UAV and USV systems for modern military operations. Our flagship platform, Virtus, is a next-generation VTOL loitering munition system, and we are rapidly expanding our software and autonomy capabilities to deploy Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for maritime surveillance and security. 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 across the UK, Germany, Greece & Ukraine 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, and 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 We are seeking a highly skilled QA Engineer to take ownership of system-level and integration testing for our maritime autonomy platforms and prototype boats. You will bridge the gap between pure software quality assurance and hardware/software integration, working hands-on with hardware, software, and communication interfaces—both in the laboratory and out in the field on prototype vessels. RESPONSIBILITIES * Test Strategy & Execution: Develop and maintain test plans, scripts, integration procedures, and safety checklists for embedded marine solutions. * Diagnostics & Defect Localization: Perform hardware/software diagnostics, defect localization, and root-cause analysis on physical prototype boats. * System Integration Testing: Validate how pure software components interface and integrate with marine autopilots, thrusters, steering systems, and payload hardware. * Interface Protocols: Test and verify communication interfaces and protocols (MAVLink, RS485, TCP/IP, RTSP video streaming) as part of diagnostics and system verification. * Marine Safety Validation: Verify critical safety-critical fail-safe mechanisms including remote emergency shutdowns, geolocation geofencing, and offline update/recovery systems. * Loop Testing Support: Help setup, maintain, and run tests in Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test environments. * Collaboration: Interact closely with software development, systems, and field flight/marine testing teams to log, track, and eliminate errors in a timely manner. * Documentation: Prepare clear testing reports, bug reports, and product stability/safety reviews in Jira and Confluence. QUALIFICATIONS * Minimum of 3+ years of experience in hardware testing, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, or embedded systems QA. * Strong understanding of software testing theory (functional, integration, system, regression) combined with hands-on hardware troubleshooting. * Experience working with embedded communication protocols (MAVLink, CAN, RS485, etc.). * Strong knowledge of Linux systems and experience writing test scripts in Bash and/or Python. * Familiarity with test management tools (Jira, Confluence) and version control (Git). * Basic understanding of electronics, multimeters, and laboratory diagnostics equipment. * Ability to write clear, structured test documentation and reports in English. * Willingness and ability to work on physical boats during harbor/sea trials and in field-testing environments. STARK Defence UK has achieved the ERS - The Defence Employer Recognition Bronze award  2026 Talent Contact: Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner, via talent@stark-defence.com NICE TO HAVE * Prior experience in marine robotics, maritime autopilots, USVs, UAVs, or marine electronics. * A valid marine boating license or experience with outdoor maritime testing operations.