
Vaeridion · Munich
YOUR MISSION We are seeking a (Senior) Flight Control System Engineer (all genders) to lead the design and development of the flight control systems for our ba...
We are seeking a (Senior) Flight Control System Engineer (all genders) to lead the design and development of the flight control
systems for our battery-electric aircraft. In this role, you will be responsible for defining and integrating the aircraft’s
primary and secondary flight control systems, including both mechanical and electrically actuated elements, working in close
collaboration with the flight physics, structures, and systems teams. You will drive the flight control system throughout its
complete development lifecycle, from system-level requirements definition through architecture development, preliminary and
detailed design, supplier coordination, integration, verification and validation activities, and ultimately system and aircraft
certification. Working cross-functionally with structures, avionics, flight physics, systems, and overall aircraft design, you
will ensure robust integration of the flight control system within the aircraft. As a senior engineer, you will play a central
role in technical decision-making, system trade-offs, and the maturation of the overall aircraft configuration.
requirements, program objectives, and applicable certification regulations (CS-23 and related operational requirements).
identification, and traceability management.
kinematics, load paths, performance, reliability, maintainability, and safety considerations.
reviews, verification activities, and compliance demonstration.
(FHA/SFHA), Preliminary System Safety Assessments (PSSA), and Zonal Safety Analysis,in accordance with applicable airworthiness
and safety standards.
the aircraft Digital Mock-Up (DMU), ensuring proper integration with structures and other aircraft systems.
checklists, qualification documentation and execution, and participation in ground and flight test campaigns.
within Part 23aircraftprogramsoperatingunder a DOA environment or international equivalent.
decomposition, interface definition, and traceability.
including kinematics, load transmission, tolerance management, friction and free-play control, and troubleshooting during
ground and flight test campaigns.
detailed design, verification, validation, and certification (Part 23 or Part 25).
airworthiness authorities.
development environment.
We recognize that women and other under-represented groups are often overlooked in our industry. If you’re excited about this role
but don’t meet every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. Talent and potential can’t always be captured in a
checklist.
include occasional remote work or adjusting hours to accommodate personal commitments.
as part of the Deutschlandticket.
commute or personal use, enjoy more mobility and sustainability.
Our Compensation Philosophy: Compensation is determined based on objective and gender-neutral criteria, including relevant
experience, qualifications and education, performance, level of responsibility, required skills and competencies, and the scarcity
or uniqueness of expertise in the relevant field.
VÆRIDION applies these criteria consistently to ensure fair and equitable compensation for employees performing the same work or
work of equal value.
Salary Range: 80.000 EUR - 100.000 EUR
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.
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 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. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe. YOUR MISSION As a UAV Test Pilot at STARK, you are the critical link between digital design and physical reality. Working in lockstep with Flight Test Engineers, you will be responsible for the planning, execution, and reporting of flight tests for experimental, developmental, and modified production systems. Your mission is to push our airframes to their limits to validate performance, ensure compliance with international standards, and prove the safety of our designs. You aren't just "flying drones", you are validating the next generation of autonomous flight technologies that will protect Europe. Whether you are executing high-performance manual maneuvers or monitoring complex BVLOS autonomous missions, your feedback will directly shape the software and hardware of the future. RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES FLIGHT OPERATIONS & EXECUTION * Conduct remote piloting of unmanned aircraft during development and validation campaigns, often in full-manual mode to test the raw flight envelope. * Execute flight tests with surgical precision according to the flight test programme. * Monitor live telemetry and onboard video streams, maintaining total situational awareness of aircraft health and test status. * Coordinate seamlessly with GCS operators, observers, and engineers in a high-pressure team environment. TEST PLANNING & PREPARATION * Contribute operational expertise to test site selection, flight profiles, hazard analysis, and weather constraints. * Prepare UAV systems, including pre-flight configuration, control link verification, and functional system checks. * Assist with the integration and ground verification of flight-critical hardware and software. SAFETY, REGULATORY & DOCUMENTATION * Act as the final authority on safety for each sortie, conducting risk assessments and responding to anomalies or emergency situations. * Maintain airspace deconfliction in accordance with SORA and EASA regulatory requirements. * Participate in briefings/debriefings, providing structured, technical feedback on aircraft behavior. * Support licensing and documentation to build long-term test capabilities across Germany and Europe. YOUR FIRST 12 MONTHS TIMEFRAME FOCUS MONTH 0–1: ONBOARDING MASTER THE STARK TECH STACK. GET FAMILIAR WITH OUR CURRENT AIRFRAMES, GCS SOFTWARE, AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS. COMPLETE LOCAL SITE INDUCTIONS AND SHADOW EXISTING FLIGHT OPERATIONS. MONTH 1–3: INTEGRATION BEGIN EXECUTING STANDARD TEST CARDS. SUPPORT THE ENGINEERING TEAM IN GROUND-TESTING NEW COMPONENTS AND TAKE YOUR FIRST "STICK TIME" WITH EXPERIMENTAL PROTOTYPES. MONTH 3–6: MISSION LEAD LEAD FLIGHT TEST CAMPAIGNS FOR SPECIFIC SUBSYSTEM VALIDATIONS. CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO SORA APPLICATIONS AND EXPAND OUR OPERATIONAL FOOTPRINT IN EUROPE. MONTH 6–12: ADVANCED TESTING EXECUTE COMPLEX BVLOS AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE ENVELOPES. START TRANSITIONING TOWARD FLIGHT TEST ENGINEERING (FTE) TASKS, INCLUDING DATA ANALYSIS AND TEST DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES. QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE & CERTIFICATIONS * Valid EU A1/A3 and A2 Remote Pilot Certificates (EASA). * Valid radio operator certificate (e.g., BZF) or the ability to obtain one immediately. * Demonstrable manual piloting skills of high-performance fixed-wing and multirotor UAVs (precision take-offs, landings, and maneuvering in tight spots). * Experience with professional GCS software, mission planning tools, and telemetry monitoring. * Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations). TECHNICAL MINDSET * Familiarity with test operations under BVLOS and experimental conditions. * Skilled in maintaining situational awareness during long, complex multi-aircraft operations. * A problem-solving mindset—you don’t just report a bug; you help the engineers find the "why." * Excellent written and verbal communication in English. MINDSET & STYLE * Disciplined: You follow test cards to the letter but stay agile when a plan changes last minute. * Reliable: High attention to detail with a "safety-first" internal compass. * Startup Ready: You thrive in a fast-paced environment where your role evolves as the company grows. NICE TO HAVE * Previous experience as a Flight Test Engineer or holding a PPL/CPL/ATPL. * Hands-on experience tuning Ardupilot or PX4 autopilot systems. * Background in military UAV operations or defense contracting. WHY STARK * Shape the Future: A unique opportunity to influence the trajectory of autonomous flight tech. * Fast-Paced Growth: Flat hierarchies and a decision-heavy environment —no red tape, just results. * The Best Tools: Access to cutting-edge drone hardware and dedicated test facilities. * Career Path: Development pathway toward Senior Flight Test Engineer or Test Director roles. * Competitive Package: Salary that reflect your value to the mission.