Data Platform Engineer – Data Operations (all genders)

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

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 aerial and terrestrial 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 We're not looking for someone who executes a spec. We're looking for someone who becomes the spec. Hand this person a napkin sketch, a rough idea, or a "we need something that can do X" — and they come back with a flying prototype, not a slide deck explaining why it's hard. This role exists for the person who's been building things in a garage, a workshop, or a shed for years because they couldn't not — and who's ready to point that obsession at Europe's defence capability instead of the next hobby build.  RESPONSIBILITIES * Take a concept from clean sheet to flying hardware — concept, design, fabrication, integration, first flight — with minimal hand-holding. * Set the technical approach when working across disciplines, and resolve design conflicts directly instead of escalating them. * Run field flight test campaigns: own the go/no-go call, diagnose failures fast, and decide whether it's a fix or a redesign. * Turn "I just know how to do this" knowledge into documentation other engineers can actually build from. * Unblock and mentor junior and mid-level engineers in design reviews and builds — no management title required. * Flag technical, schedule, or process risk before anyone asks — silence isn't a strategy here. * Iterate fast on field and test data without waiting for a retro to tell you what broke. QUALIFICATIONS * A track record of owning a full build cycle — concept to flight-tested prototype — independently, on at least one UAV/UGV or comparable platform. * Deep, hands-on experience with composites, mechanical assemblies, robotics, and embedded hardware — earned in a workshop, not from a manual. * Sound judgment under ambiguity and time pressure: you know what's good-enough-to-test versus good-enough-to-deploy without being told. * Strong independent root-cause diagnosis — you can stare at a cracked airframe or a bad flight log and get to a fix without senior sign-off. * Experience working across engineering disciplines and resolving competing technical requirements yourself. * A demonstrated instinct for mentoring or technically leading others, even informally. * A portfolio that proves it: personal builds, competition entries, workshop projects — anything that shows you've been engineering as a calling, not just a job, during and after hours. NICE TO HAVE * Active A2/A3 drone pilot certification or equivalent national licence. * CAD fluency (Fusion 360, SolidWorks) strong enough to set standards for others, not just finish your own files. * Debugging-level familiarity with flight controller ecosystems (PX4, ArduPilot, Betaflight) — not just configuration. * Fixed-wing experience, not just multirotor. * A background in competition, motorsport, or maker culture that grew into leading a build or owning a program end-to-end. If you´re interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your  Portfolio & CV in English. We´re looking forward to meeting you!