Principal Software Engineer - Real-Time Voice

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 Reporting directly to the CTO, you will define and own STARK's AI strategy, across the product, across internal tooling, and across the entire technical organisation. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Chief Engineers and Engineering Leads, setting a direction they can execute against. On the product side, you'll push the boundaries of what's possible in sensing, autonomy, and robotics for defence. On the internal side, you'll systematically drive AI-powered productivity across every function at STARK. And beyond the company, you'll be our most visible and credible AI voice; the signal that serious AI talent picks up when deciding where to build next.  RESPONSIBILITIES * Define and own STARK's AI strategy across product and internal domains, setting a direction that Technical Leads can execute against * Lead AI stack decisions, model selection, frameworks, MLOps infrastructure, evaluation, and tooling, in partnership with the CTO and Technical Leads, with final technical accountability sitting with you * Act as connective tissue across teams: identify and resolve cross-team AI dependencies, shared infrastructure gaps, and redundant workstreams that individual leads cannot see from inside their own domain * Drive internal AI adoption across STARK, developer productivity tooling, agent and automation infrastructure, and responsible-use frameworks across engineering and operations * Provide technical oversight and challenge across all AI workstreams, asking hard questions on methodology, adversarial robustness, distribution shift, and performance under real operational conditions, without taking over delivery * Monitor the academic and commercial AI landscape and translate relevant advances into concrete strategic inputs for the CTO and programme leadership * Keep AI strategy grounded in operational reality by partnering with programme and product leadership so that what we build maps to real mission requirements, not research for its own sake * Raise the AI bar at STARK: contribute to senior technical hiring, define the AI engineering standard, and build STARK's standing in the European defence-AI community * Represent STARK externally, speak at defence, robotics, and AI venues, publish or present where it serves the mission, and act as a credible signal of the company's technical ambition What success looks like in the first 12 months: * A single, written, widely-understood AI strategy that Chief Engineers and Technical Leads actively use to make decisions * Internal AI tooling in production use, measurably changing how engineering and operations work day-to-day, not as a pilot * At least one product-side AI capability moved meaningfully forward on your direction * STARK visibly more attractive to senior AI talent than when you joined, with at least one strong hire personally pulled into the pipeline QUALIFICATIONS * Degree in machine learning, computer vision, robotics, or a closely related field, or demonstrably equivalent depth through industry research and an open publication or open-source record * Proven experience setting AI technical strategy at a senior level, across multiple domains simultaneously, not within a single team or project * Deep technical fluency in at least one of: perception and sensor fusion, autonomy and motion planning, SLAM/localisation, or multi-agent coordination (C2), with enough breadth to engage credibly across all of them * Strong track record of influencing technical decisions without direct line authority, working through and alongside Technical Leads, not over them * Experience in defence, aerospace, or another safety-critical domain where AI system failure carries real-world consequence; direct UAS or ground-robotics experience strongly preferred * Fluent English; working German is a practical advantage in Berlin or Munich * Eligibility for the required security clearance NICE TO HAVE * An existing network within the European defence AI community * Prior experience in a staff- or principal-level AI role inside a scaling deep-tech or defence company * A public profile, talks, papers, or open-source work, that already signals technical credibility * Comfort operating in a high-autonomy, low-overhead role: setting direction and shaping outcomes without a large dedicated 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. 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 to deter aggression—today. ABOUT THE TEAM Minerva is STARK’s command‑and‑control software — the system that connects operators to autonomous platforms across multiple domains in real time. Our team is a small, senior group based in Berlin and Munich, working closely with hardware, autonomy, and systems engineering to deliver mission‑critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments. We operate under constraints most engineers never encounter: low‑bandwidth networks, air‑gapped devices, and high‑stakes decision loops. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field. YOUR MISSION This is not a standard engineering role; it is a high‑impact leadership position at the intersection of hardware, software, and human factors. We have world‑class architects leading separate workstreams across C2, Perception, and Autonomy. As Head of Software Architecture, your mission is to lead, align, and govern these architectural workstreams under a unified, delivery-focused engineering strategy that results in concrete artifacts, architecture diagrams, and actionable software components. You will set the architectural direction for STARK’s software ecosystem, ensure coherence across domains, and provide the systems‑engineering rigor required to meet the complex requirements of our customers. You will not only unify architecture - you will own it. RESPONSIBILITIES 1. ARCHITECTURAL ALIGNMENT & LEADERSHIP * Software System Engineering — You will act as the System Engineer on the software side, responsible for defining the V-Model process, leading requirements engineering, and directing V&V planning. * Cross‑Platform Alignment — You will guide stakeholders toward common architectural solutions adopted across the product portfolio. * Conflict Resolution & Consensus Building — You will identify conflicts between hardware and software, synthesizing input from experts to drive alignment across C2, Perception, Autonomy, and Embedded. * Organizational Architecture — You will design communication pathways and collaboration patterns that ensure architectural integrity drives effective organizational structure (Conway’s Law). 2. STRATEGIC TECHNICAL GOVERNANCE * Safety‑by‑Design Leadership — Champion Modern C++ Safety Guidelines (MISRA) and mentor teams on building reliable, safety‑critical systems. * Software Interface Governance — Define and govern the software interfaces across the stack, ensuring architectural integrity and interoperability within the software ecosystem. * Operational Reliability — Ensure that changes in autopilot firmware, mission planning, and perception stacks never break operational workflows. * Compliance & QA Excellence — Lead V-Model enforcement, V&V, and QA (ISTQB) processes. Own technical compliance (IEC 61508, ISO 27001, AQAP, DeumilSAA, Cyber Sec Essentials, STANAGs, DEFSTAN) and manage all associated audit documentation. 3. MENTORSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL INFLUENCE * Influence‑Based Leadership & Change Management — Run design reviews that empower teams while guiding architecture through scaling refactors and managing technical debt. * Architect Development — Mentor senior software engineers and architects, helping them grow into cross‑domain leaders. * Cultural Stewardship — Shape a culture that values clarity, safety, and mission‑driven engineering. * LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY — HEAD THE SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE AND DIRECTLY LEAD A DEDICATED V&V AND QA TEAM. THE TECH LANDSCAPE * Technical Curiosity — You will earn the respect of domain experts across mission planningautonomy, perception, embedded, and systems engineering. * Data‑Flow Understanding — You will understand how data moves from onboard sensors over constrained radio links (MAVLink/Silvus) to ground‑station systems (C++). * C++ Leadership — You will reinforce C++ as the core language, emphasizing safety and standardization. * SWaP‑C Awareness — You will intuitively understand how software decisions impact hardware endurance, performance, and cost. QUALIFICATIONS * Senior Architectural Experience — 10+ years in Principal, Staff+, or equivalent architectural roles. * Cross‑Team Leadership — Proven experience leading architecture across multiple engineering teams. * Domain Expertise — Background in aerospace, defence, robotics, or complex hardware/software systems. * Communication Excellence — Ability to influence without authority and communicate across technical domains. * Systems Thinking — Ability to break down complex, cross‑domain challenges into coherent solutions. * Security Eligibility — Ability to obtain appropriate security clearance. * Background in Aerospace, Defense, Robotics or complex Hardware/Software systems. * Proven experience acting as an architect across multiple engineering teams  * Strong verbal and written communication skills * Security: Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be eligible to obtain appropriate security clearance. * Why Join STARK? * Impact: You are defining the nervous system of next-generation defense. Your decisions determine the lethality and survivability of our platforms. * Autonomy: You are the technical authority connecting the "Sky" (Drones) to the "Ground" (C2). * Growth: Lead the technical strategy for a rapidly expanding portfolio of air and sea systems.

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 This is not a traditional sales role. We are looking for a Business Development Lead Software to own the entire Go-to-Market (GTM) domain for Minerva, our STARK Software product. Minerva is the digital backbone used by NATO militaries to plan and execute complex operations across all domains with a strong focus on unmanned effects. As the BD Lead, you will be the primary architect of our commercial and strategic channels, ensuring that our software-defined edge reaches the hands of operators when the stakes are highest. You will act as a Strategic Player-Coach: spending ~60% of your time in the field building high-level military and government relationships, and ~40% coordinating with the core GTM team to build the scalable sales processes that will define our growth. If you are a high-agency leader who wants to build a culture of sovereign defense excellence from the ground up, this is your command center. RESPONSIBILITIES WHAT YOU’LL BUILD & LEAD * The Strategy: You will own the GTM strategy for Minerva, setting up proper channels and leading software sales initiatives. * The Pipeline: You will identify, nurture, and close software-focused opportunities with NATO Allies and defense partners. * The Bridge: You will partner directly with Program Leads and Engineers to translate complex military requirements into actionable product feedback and winning commercial proposals. * The Synergy: You will interface with the core GTM team while remaining embedded within the Minerva program, ensuring software-specific needs are represented in broader company initiatives. * The Impact: You will constantly challenge market assumptions to determine what creates real value for the operator and what is simply "future promises." THE MARKET & STRATEGY STACK * Core Focus: High-performance, software-defined defense systems. * Tooling: CRM management, Jira for requirement tracking, and deep familiarity with military procurement cycles. * Platforms: Promoting software that deploys across Laptop, Handheld, and Tablet devices in the field.  QUALIFICATIONS Who You Are * * A Builder-Leader: You have 8+ years of experience in high-stakes Business Development or Sales (preferably military IT), with at least 2 years in a leadership role (Lead, Principal, or Head of Sales). * Defense & Tech Native: You understand the nuances of software-defined defence and can speak the language of both military commanders and decision makers in the Cyber / IT domain. * High Agency: You don't wait for "leads to be generated." You look at the mission, identify the technical and commercial gaps, and execute the solution. * Performance Obsessed: You understand that in the defense domain, reliability and low-latency delivery are not just features—they are requirements for mission success. * Industry Aware: You have deep experience in Defense, Aerospace, or complex B2B SaaS with long, technical sales cycles - preferably you have time in service. * B.Sc/M.Sc in Business, International Relations, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience. * Proven track record of building GTM channels from scratch for complex technical products. * Strong communication and collaboration skills to lead in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced environment. * Ability to travel as needed to meet with NATO partners and stakeholders. * Fluency in German is required for this role. * Security: Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be eligible to obtain appropriate security clearance. WHY JOIN STARK? * Impact: Work with stakeholders and technology that directly contribute to European security. * Autonomy: You are the founding leader of this software GTM vertical. You choose the strategies, the channels, and the people. * Growth: As STARK scales to meet rising global threats, your role and influence within the Minerva program will scale with it.