Simulation Engineer (Controls) - (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 You will own the flight control and navigation stack that keeps our autonomous platforms stable, predictable, and precise — from first power-on to final approach (GNC = Guidance, Navigation, Control) . This isn't a maintenance role: you're building the control and state-estimation foundation that every other system on the platform depends on, while growing a team of engineers who can own that responsibility with you. Success looks like a navigation and control stack that performs reliably under the demanding, contested conditions our systems are built for.  RESPONSIBILITIES * Lead and grow a fast-expanding team of engineers working on flight control, guidance, and state estimation * Facilitate and execute the technical direction for the STARK autopilot stack: control theory (PID/LQR/MPC), sensor fusion architecture, state estimation (EKF/UKF), and real-time performance * Partner with hardware, perception, and systems engineering teams to ensure navigation performance holds end-to-end, not just in isolation * Own technical roadmap planning for your domain and represent it to your Director and cross-functional stakeholders * Bring software engineering best practices to the team such as the C4 architecture model, clean code principles and software design patterns * Moderate the peer review process with the team and ensure knowledge sharing and across different seniorities * Drive hiring, mentoring, and career development for your team as well as ways of working together * Report on technical risk, schedule, and capacity to leadership * Drive test and validation strategy, from simulation and HIL testing through live trials QUALIFICATIONS * 7+ years of software (robotics) engineering experience in the domain of GNC (guidance, navigation, and control) * 3+ years in a leadership role (Team Lead, Head of, Engineering Manager, or equivalent) with direct people management experience * Provent track record of deploying robotics software application into production environment * Strong knowledge about the GNC domain * Fluent English; German is a plus NICE TO HAVE * Proven track record taking autonomous systems with GNSS-denied navigation system from design to production fielded, flight-tested products * Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or comparable open-source autopilot stacks * Background in aerospace, robotics, or MINT programs * Exposure to systems operating in contested or degraded environments * Prior experience scaling a technical team in a startup or fast-growing engineering org * Familiarity with MIL-STD or STANAG-aligned development practices If you're interested in building the future of European defence with us and you see yourself reflected in the description above, please send us your CV in English. We’re looking forward to meeting you.

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 We are a lean, agile group with a strong systems-minded focus. We operate without silos, meaning we look for self-starters who are comfortable stepping outside their main area of expertise to solve complex problems. In our team, you will have the autonomy to take decisive action and the responsibility to see your hardware operate in the field. YOUR MISSION You will drive the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities on STARK’s platforms. Taking ownership of critical hardware and RF systems from concept to layout to simulation, you will ensure our platforms maintain peak performance and deliver decisive overmatch in complex, highly dynamic RF environments. RESPONSIBILITIES * Lead end-to-end board design utilizing Altium Designer, implementing High-Density Interconnect (HDI) techniques and routing high-frequency interfaces. * Design, simulate, and implement custom RF components and matching networks tailored for contested environments. * Conduct rigorous antenna design and placement simulations using CST Studio Suite and Altair FEKO to optimize system-level RF performance across our unmanned platforms. * Own the mechanical packaging and electro-mechanical design of your boards, working closely with other disciplines to ensure seamless hardware-software integration. * Define and execute strict testing, debugging, and validation protocols to guarantee system stability and survivability. QUALIFICATIONS * 3+ years of professional engineering experience in electronic, RF, or hardware systems development. * Extensive hands-on experience with board design in Altium, specifically dealing with HDI techniques, complex layer stacks, and high-speed/high-frequency signal integrity. * Demonstrated proficiency in designing matching networks and simulating RF components, with direct experience using CST and/or Altair FEKO for antenna placement and optimization. * Strong foundational understanding of how individual RF and electronic components impact the broader system architecture. * A proven self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, small-team environment and is unafraid to tackle technical challenges outside of their primary domain. * Exceptional ability to debug complex, multi-disciplinary system issues at the intersection of hardware, RF, and software. * B.S. or M.S. in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Mechatronics Engineering (or a related field). * Professional background in Defense, Aerospace, Telecommunications, or other high-performance, high-reliability hardware industries. * Applied experience with the RF spectrum, signal processing, or software-defined radios (SDR).

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 a Junior FPGA Engineer, you will join our specialized hardware team to develop the high-speed digital logic that powers our autonomous platforms. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and testing FPGA-based solutions that process complex signals in real-time. This role is ideal for a high-potential engineer who wants to move beyond simulation and see their code interact with the physical world. You will work closely with senior mentors to bridge the gap between digital signal processing theory and hardware realisation. RESPONSIBILITIES We are looking for candidates with experience in some or all of the following areas: * RTL Design: Develop and maintain high-speed digital logic using VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog. * Verification: Create testbenches and run functional simulations to validate design behavior. * Hardware Debugging: Use lab equipment (Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers) and on-chip debugging tools (ILA/Signal Tap) to troubleshoot physical hardware. * Integration: Collaborate with Electronics and Software teams to define FPGA pinouts, review schematics, and develop interface APIs. * IP Management: Integrate and configure third-party IP cores and interface with high-speed ADCs/DACs. * Documentation: Maintain clear design specifications, register maps, and version-controlled HDL repositories. QUALIFICATIONS * Proficiency in VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog. * Experience with FPGA vendor tools (e.g., Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus). * Understanding of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) fundamentals. * Basic experience with simulation tools (e.g., ModelSim, Questa). * Familiarity with common hardware interfaces (AXI, SPI, I2C, UART). * Competency in Python or C/C++ for scripting and testing support. SOFT SKILLS * Curiosity-Driven: You have a deep desire to understand how things work at the register level. * Resilient: You enjoy the "puzzle" of hardware debugging and timing closure. * Effective Communicator: You can explain your logic design clearly to both software and hardware teams. QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, or Computer Engineering. * 0-2 years of experience (relevant internships or personal hardware projects are highly valued). NICE TO HAVE * Knowledge of System-on-Chip (SoC) architectures (e.g., Zynq). * Familiarity with Linux-based development environments. * Interest in software-defined radio (SDR) architectures.