Hardware Engineer

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. ABOUT THE TEAM We are the architects of the physical experience. As part of our R&D-driven Electronics Department our Hardware Team turns visionary ideas into high-performance technology. In our enthusiastic and high-energy environment, we have the tools, the talent and the passion to engineer first-class products that lead the global market. YOUR MISSION As a Senior Hardware Engineer, you will architect and design advanced electronics by translating complex system requirements into high-performance hardware solutions. Serving as the primary module owner, you will drive the hardware lifecycle from initial concept and cross-functional integration — collaborating closely with mechanical, embedded software and system teams — through to rigorous design verification and successful mass production.  RESPONSIBILITIES * Support system engineers during concept design phase * Review the requirements from the system perspective and derive them to the next level * Design complex PCBs in Altium for advanced drone and aerospace platforms in coordination with mechanical engineers as well as embedded software engineers * Support internal prototyping department and verify your design according to test requirements  * Be ready for test campaigns on system level and support field-engineers in terms of maintenance QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering or a related field * 5-10 years of hardware/electronic design experience * Strong multilayer PCB, high-speed digital and mixed-signal design expertise * Advanced Altium Designer experience * Strong debugging and verification skills using lab equipment * Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or other safety-critical industries * Capability of providing best solutions by having limited amount of time * Ability to independently lead hardware development from concept to production * High flexibility to work with changing requirements NICE TO HAVE * Experience in developing systems according to the Safety Integrity Levels, DIN EN 61508 / 61511, ISO 26262, IEC 61508 or similar * Experience of designing for EMI/EMC compliance of PCB as well as on system level * German language skills for collaboration with customers and procurement stakeholders

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 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

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'll be the technical glue holding together a fast-moving hardware and payload integration environment. The person who turns parallel engineering workstreams into one working system instead of seven disconnected ones. Acting as direct technical counterpart to our integration lead, you'll bring process discipline and hands-on execution to a function that's still being built. This is not a coordination role with a PowerPoint deck attached, it's a seat at the bench, with the authority and technical credibility to make decisions stick.  RESPONSIBILITIES * Own day-to-day technical integration across hardware, payload, and embedded subsystems, working directly with engineering teams to resolve interface conflicts as they arise. * Apply discipline across integration activities, maintaining traceability between requirements, design, and verification. * Translate requirements and constraints between hardware, software, payload, and systems engineering teams, closing ambiguity at the interfaces rather than escalating it. * Identify and resolve technical dependencies across teams before they become integration blockers, not after. * Introduce structure, documentation, and change control into an integration function that doesn't have it yet, without freezing the speed the program needs. * Work hands-on with engineers on the test floor and at the bench when a problem needs solving in person, not via status update. * Act as a technical sparring partner to the integration lead, sharing context and pressure-testing decisions across the integration scope. * Shape the build-out of the wider integration team, contributing to role definition and technical interviewing as the team scales. * Report integration status, risks, and blockers in terms program leadership can act on, translating engineering reality into business decisions. QUALIFICATIONS * Proven system integration experience in hardware, payload, embedded, defence, or aviation environments. * Technical depth strong enough to work as a peer with engineers, not just manage their timelines. * Track record owning technical dependencies and interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines simultaneously. * Background in either systems/hardware engineering or technical program management, with hands-on integration exposure either way. * Experience on complex, multi-team technical programs, defence, aerospace, automotive, or comparably regulated sectors. * A pragmatic, low-ego, execution-first operating style: you bring structure to chaos, you don't wait for chaos to resolve itself. * Fluent German and professional English. You'll work directly with German-speaking engineering teams daily. NICE TO HAVE * Experience building or scaling a technical/integration team from scratch. * Background in UAS, C-UAS, or loitering munition systems specifically. * Familiarity with formal systems engineering tooling (requirements management, configuration/change control platforms). * Prior experience in a scale-up or fast-growth engineering environment. 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 CV in English. We´re looking forward to meeting you!