(Senior) Robotics Software Engineer (m/f/d)

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 Sensors Systems Engineer, you sit at the critical intersection of hardware and software. You are the architect of our platforms' perception systems, leading the selection, integration, and optimization of the "eyes and ears" of our UAVs—ranging from high-definition EO/IR gimbals to Radar, Lidar, and IMU systems. At STARK, we are pushing the absolute limits of hardware. This is a deeply hands-on role; you will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of a sensor, from probing I2C buses and debugging electrical interfaces to writing the high-performance C++ drivers that feed our autonomy stack. RESPONSIBILITIES * Hardware-Software Integration: Own the end-to-end integration of EO/IR cameras, gimbals, Radar, and Lidar. You will bridge the gap between physical mounting/wiring and the software nodes that control them. * Low-Level Development: Design and implement drivers and ROS2 nodes. You will work directly with hardware protocols including I2C, SPI, CAN, Serial, and Ethernet (RTSP/UDP). * Time Synchronization & Data Management: Solve the "hard" problems of temporal synchronization across distributed hardware (using PTP, PPS, or hardware triggering) to ensure all sensor streams are perfectly aligned for fusion. * Precision Calibration: Develop and execute rigorous intrinsic and extrinsic calibration routines to ensure the platform’s sensor suite is spatially and logically unified. * System Optimization: Profile and tune sensor pipelines to squeeze maximum performance out of resource-constrained embedded compute (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson). * Field Evaluation: Support flight tests and field deployments, diagnosing hardware-level issues in real-time and iterating quickly on design improvements to ensure mission success. QUALIFICATIONS * Technical Background: A degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. * The "Hybrid" Skillset: You are equally comfortable with hardware diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, multimeters) and modern software development environments. * Programming: Strong proficiency in C++ and Python, specifically for hardware interfacing and embedded systems. Experience with ROS2 is a big advantage. * Protocol Fluency: Hands-on experience with I2C, SPI, CAN, and Ethernet-based sensor communication. * Critical Thinking: A track record of addressing complex design trade-offs—balancing sensor range and resolution against weight, thermal, and power constraints. * Proactive Problem Solver: A self-driven engineer who thrives on troubleshooting complex systems at the boundary of hardware and code. A Note on Our Process: At STARK, we value critical thinking, grit, and the ability to learn over a perfect checklist. If you are a talented engineer who loves building complex systems and is passionate about sensors, but you don’t hit every single bullet point above, we still want to hear from you. We are building a multidisciplinary team where diverse perspectives lead to more resilient technology.

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 part of the Infra & DevSecOps team you will be the technical bridge between software, firmware, and infrastructure, ensuring that our autonomous stack compiles, deploys, and runs efficiently and securely across edge devices, microcontrollers, and cloud-connected systems. Your work will directly impact the reliability and scalability of our embedded autonomy infrastructure deployed across air, land, and sea systems. RESPONSIBILITIES We are looking for candidates with experience in some or all of the following areas: Infrastructure * Build and maintain secure links between on-prem infrastructure and GCP. * Provision and manage infrastructure using IaC. * Integrate on-prem identity providers with GCP IAM and implement Zero Trust principles. * Orchestrate the transition of cloud workloads to on-prem infrastructure. * Establish unified visibility across the hybrid stack. * Manage egress costs and minimise latency between the data centre and cloud regions. CI/CD & Automation * Design and maintain CI/CD pipelines in GitLab for embedded and cross-compiled builds. * Automate build, test, and deploy workflows across GCP (Google Cloud Platform) and on-premise edge devices. * Apply DevSecOps / EdgeOps principles for secure, traceable software delivery. * Manage containerization and artifacts for multi-arch builds (Docker & other OCI containers). * Develop and maintain build and deployment scripts. Hardware Integration * Collaborate with firmware and electronics teams to integrate and test microcontrollers, sensor boards, and autopilot hardware. * Support driver compilation and communication bridges between Linux and MCU-level systems (UART, CAN, SPI, I²C). Build & Compilation * Build Linux-derivative operating systems and their dependencies for ARM64 targets. * Manage build automation for multi-architecture targets (AMD64/ARM64). You’ll work at the frontier of embedded autonomy, where every build and deployment shapes the reliability of real-world unmanned systems. If you enjoy bridging cloud and edge, automation and embedded systems, this role offers both the technical depth and mission relevance few positions can match. QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Robotics, or Embedded Systems. * 2-5 years of DevOps or EdgeOps experience Soft Skills * You are solution-oriented and focus on "how we can do this" rather than listing reasons why we can't. * You have the ability to communicate complex technical ideas in a clear and respectful manner to other team members. * You have a team-first mentality: you prioritise the stability of the platform and the health of the team over being the 'smartest person in the room'. NICE TO HAVE * Experience with GCP (Artifact Registry, Cloud Build, GCE instances) * Experience with Go * Knowledge of embedded hardware, e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, or similar ARM64 SBCs; familiarity with MCU firmware integration * Awareness of ROS 2 (colcon, ament, uXRCE-DDS) * Experience with CMake

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.