(Senior) Autonomous Flight 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.

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. YOUR ROLE You’ll own the software that makes the spacecraft behave: real-time control flows, autonomy, mode management, and the core flight applications that coordinate every subsystem. You’ll design and implement robust flight-software services on RTOS or Embedded Linux - turning mission requirements into deterministic, testable software - then take it from simulation all the way to launch and on-orbit operations. You’ll ensure our VLEO satellites stay safe and productive with strong fault tolerance, clean observability, and rapid iteration through over-the-air updates. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Own the on-board flight-software stack – design, implement and test real-time Rust/C/C++ on RTOS or Embedded Linux. * Integrate subsystems end-to-end – define ICDs and build drivers/middleware over I2C/SPI/UART/CAN(-FD)/SpaceWire (as applicable). * Build spacecraft behaviors & autonomy – implement mode management, sequencing, and autonomous FDIR for safe and productive operations. * Deliver reliable real-time performance – manage concurrency, timing, CPU/memory budgets, and observability under tight constraints. * Build verification infrastructure – prototypes, SIL/HIL test harnesses, simulations, and telemetry analysis tooling to validate designs early. * Ship code from review to orbit – push through CI/CD, support integration and launch ops, and deliver secure over-the-air updates. * Work across disciplines – collaborate with avionics, AOCS, comms and mission teams to trade compute, power, thermal, storage and link budgets.   FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS * Proven experience in building production embedded or real-time systems in C/C++ and/or Rust on RTOS or Embedded Linux for space systems. * Strong grasp of real-time software: scheduling, interrupts, concurrency primitives, determinism, and designing for constrained CPU/memory. * Proven ability to build reliable, testable systems: unit/integration testing, simulation-first development, HIL validation, and disciplined debugging. * Hands-on experience integrating with hardware via common interfaces (I2C, SPI, UART, CAN(-FD), GPIO, etc.) and practical lab debugging. * Solid software engineering fundamentals: architecture, code review, static analysis, CI/CD, configuration management, and observability/logging. * Ability to own systems end-to-end: from requirements and design through implementation, verification, operations support, and iterative improvement. NICE-TO-HAVES * Experience with spacecraft flight software frameworks (e.g., cFS, F´, or building lightweight component-based equivalents). * Familiarity with autonomy and fault management patterns for radiation/SEUs, watchdog strategies, redundancy, and safe-mode design. * GNC/AOCS-adjacent experience: sensor/actuator pipelines, control-loop integration, estimation/filters, timing analysis. * Digital-twin / simulator / SIL-HIL experience for end-to-end behavior validation and regression testing. * On-orbit operations know-how: commissioning flows, anomaly response, telemetry triage, and OTA update strategies. WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.

STARK

ABOUT US STARK is a defense technology company revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop and manufacture high performance unmanned vehicles that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost effective – giving NATO and its allies a decisive edge in the most 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 are seeking a talented Senior Embedded  Engineer to help design and build the backbone of next-generation systems that integrate data, sensors, and control applications into secure, high-performance software. You will contribute to technology that powers aerospace, automotive, robotics, and defence-related platforms where real-world devices meet advanced software. RESPONSIBILITIES * Create and maintain custom cross-compilation toolchains and SDKs for the team. * Create and maintain a robust, reproducible Yocto-based Linux distribution tailored for autonomous flight  * Take full ownership of the lifecycle for MIPI camera and sensor drivers, ensuring total environmental awareness for our platforms.  * Optimise system boot time and real-time task latency. * Implement fail-safes and watchdogs for mission-critical flight code. QUALIFICATIONS * B.Sc/M.Sc in Computer Science, Robotics, Systems Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. * Senior level development for performance-critical systems (C/C++). * Experience building custom layers, recipes, and Board Support Packages (BSPs).  * Deep knowledge of kernel tuning and optimisation. * Hands-on experience with DTS/DTSI for hardware bring-up. * Writing and debugging drivers and kernel modules. * Proficiency with SPI, I2C, UART, CAN, and PCIe. * Must be eligiable for UK Security Clearance (SC) NICE TO HAVE Nice to Have * Experience with JetPack SDK, L4T, and CUDA/TensorRT. * Driver development for CSI-2 sensors and ISP tuning. * Any experience or desire to use the Rust programming language. * Experience with PX4/ArduPilot flight stacks and MAVLink. * Development of high-throughput nodes and DDS middleware tuning. * Building hardware-accelerated video pipelines for low-latency streaming. * Implementing Secure Boot and encrypted file systems. Our Commitment to the Armed Forces Community We are proud to hold the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), reflecting our meaningful commitment and ongoing support for UK defence personnel. At our core, we believe in championing those who serve, those who have served, and their families. As part of this scheme, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment where members of the Armed Forces community can thrive and bring their invaluable skills to our team.