GNC / Autopilot Engineering Manager

<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners &nbsp;with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.</span><br><br></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Why Join Us?</span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&amp;D backing.</span></li> </ul></div><p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Your Mission</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">You will own the flight control and navigation stack that keeps our autonomous platforms stable, predictable, and precise — from first power-on to final approach (GNC = Guidance, Navigation, Control) . This isn't a maintenance role: you're building the control and state-estimation foundation that every other system on the platform depends on, while growing a team of engineers who can own that responsibility with you. Success looks like a navigation and control stack that performs reliably under the demanding, contested conditions our systems are built for.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Responsibilities</strong></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lead and grow a fast-expanding team of engineers working on flight control, guidance, and state estimation</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Facilitate and execute the technical direction for the STARK autopilot stack: control theory (PID/LQR/MPC), sensor fusion architecture, state estimation (EKF/UKF), and real-time performance</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Partner with hardware, perception, and systems engineering teams to ensure navigation performance holds end-to-end, not just in isolation</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Own technical roadmap planning for your domain and represent it to your Director and cross-functional stakeholders</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Bring software engineering best practices to the team such as the C4 architecture model, clean code principles and software design patterns</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Moderate the peer review process with the team and ensure knowledge sharing and across different seniorities</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Drive hiring, mentoring, and career development for your team as well as ways of working together</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Report on technical risk, schedule, and capacity to leadership</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Drive test and validation strategy, from simulation and HIL testing through live trials</span></p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Required Skills</strong></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">7+ years of software (robotics) engineering experience in the domain of GNC (guidance, navigation, and control)</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">3+ years in a leadership role (Team Lead, Head of, Engineering Manager, or equivalent) with direct people management experience</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Provent track record of deploying robotics software application into production environment</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Strong knowledge about the GNC domain</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fluent English; German is a plus</span></p> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Nice-To-Have</strong></span></p> <ul> <li> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Proven track record taking autonomous systems with GNSS-denied navigation system from design to production fielded, flight-tested products</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience with PX4, ArduPilot, or comparable open-source autopilot stacks</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Background in aerospace, robotics, or MINT programs</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Exposure to systems operating in contested or degraded environments</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Prior experience scaling a technical team in a startup or fast-growing engineering org</span></p> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Familiarity with MIL-STD or STANAG-aligned development practices</span></p> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">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&nbsp;<u><strong>CV in English</strong></u>. We’re looking forward to meeting you.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Equal Opportunity:</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications—ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points. We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Security Clearance:</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.</span></p></div>