Expert Autopilot Engineer (all genders)

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.

Your mission

Reporting directly to the Head of the Control team, as an Autopilot Engineer you will help develop/customize autopilot firmware for autonomous system operations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and customize autopilot firmware to enable reliable, safe, and robust autonomous operations across multiple mission profiles and environments.

• Implement and maintain low-level drivers for onboard sensors and actuators (e.g., IMU, payload interfaces), ensuring accurate data acquisition and real-time performance.

• Integrate autopilot functionality with AI-based autonomy, perception, and mission-planning systems, enabling adaptive behaviors.

• Develop and maintain interfaces and communication layers (e.g., MAVLink) between the autopilot, flight controller, ground control systems, and higher-level autonomy stacks.

• Conduct system-level testing, debugging, and validation of autopilot firmware, including fault analysis and performance optimization on real hardware.

• Integrate and validate autopilot software in simulation environments, including Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), to support rapid iteration and safe deployment.

• Contribute to architecture and design decisions related to flight control, autonomy, safety mechanisms, and redundancy.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (AI, systems engineering, hardware, testing, and operations) to ensure seamless system integration and mission readiness.

• Identify technical risks, propose mitigation strategies, and help resolve complex engineering challenges throughout the development lifecycle.

• Support continuous improvement of development processes, coding standards, documentation, and testing methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

• 10–15 years of professional experience in autopilot, flight control, or embedded software development for autonomous systems, UAVs, or comparable safety-critical platforms.

• Deep expertise in MAVLink protocol, including custom message development and system integration.

• Strong hands-on experience with PX4 firmware architecture, customization, and deployment.

• Advanced proficiency in C++ for embedded and real-time systems, and Python for tooling, scripting, and simulation workflows.

• Excellent understanding of microcontrollers and real-time operating systems (RTOS), including timing constraints, scheduling, and resource management.

• Solid knowledge of flight dynamics, control theory, avionics, and state estimation as applied to autonomous aerial systems.

• Proven ability to debug complex, multi-layered systems involving hardware, firmware, and software interactions.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-responsibility environment.

• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset; ability to mentor junior engineers and contribute positively to team culture.

Nice to Have:

• Drone Pilot License or hands-on operational experience with UAVs.

• Experience with safety-critical or defense-grade systems, including redundancy, fail-safe mechanisms, and certification-oriented development.

• Familiarity with GNSS-denied navigation, sensor fusion, or contested-environment operations.

• Experience working with hardware bring-up, custom flight controllers, or new sensor platforms.

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!