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. 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 an Autopilot Engineer specialising in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC), you will develop, adjust, and maintain flight controller firmware and autonomy systems. You will focus on the mathematical and algorithmic layers that enable stable, reliable, and high-performance control of unmanned platforms under real-world operational constraints and high-dynamic maneuvers.
Responsibilities
- Design and implement guidance laws (e.g. proportional navigation, pursuit) for high-speed platforms
- Develop control systems (PID, LQR, MPC, adaptive control) for aerial and mobile platforms
- Build closed-loop autonomy pipelines integrating perception → state estimation → guidance → control
- Implement real-time autonomy algorithms in C++ within ROS2 frameworks
- Translate mission-level objectives into tactical and executable control strategies
- Model system dynamics (aerodynamics, kinematics, actuator constraints)
- Develop and integrate software with embedded flight control systems
- Perform system-level debugging across the full autonomy stack
- Support SIL/HIL simulations and real-world flight testing
- Produce technical reports, validation results, and performance analyses
Qualifications
- Integrated Master’s (Dipl. Eng.) or higher in Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE), Mechanical Engineering (Automation track), Aerospace, or Applied Mathematics & Physical Sciences (TEMFE).
- Strong foundation in mathematics (linear algebra, differential equations, optimization)
- Deep expertise in control theory (PID, state-space control, optimal control)
- Experience with guidance laws (e.g. proportional navigation, guidance concepts)
- Strong C++ programming skills (real-time systems)
- Hands-on experience with ROS2
- Experience with embedded systems / flight controllers
- Background in robotics / computer engineering / aerospace
- Ability to design and analyse closed-loop systems
- Strong debugging, system analysis, and performance evaluation skills
Nice to have
- Experience with model predictive control (MPC) or advanced control strategies
- Familiarity with nonlinear system modeling and simulation
- Experience with UAVs, or high-dynamics autonomous systems
- Knowledge of sensor fusion and navigation integration
- MATLAB / Python for simulation and prototyping
- Experience with Monte Carlo simulation and robustness analysis
- Physics background (double major is a strong advantage)
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!
Recruiter for this position
For further information, please reach out to
[email protected].
