Chief Engineer Defence (all genders)

STARK Defence is building the next generation of autonomous defence systems for modern warfare. We develop and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined rapidly deployable and scalable for mass production.

Our mission is clear: deliver reliable combat-ready capabilities that strengthen the technological advantage of NATO Allies and their partners. We focus on real-world deployment operational impact and speed not theoretical concepts or long-term promises.

As Europe faces an increasingly complex security environment STARK is helping redefine sovereign defence technology with systems designed for contested and highly dynamic operational environments.

You will join a highly multidisciplinary engineering organisation working across airframes propulsion avionics autonomy payload integration and flight systems. The team operates in a fast-paced mission-driven environment with a strong focus on technical excellence rapid iteration and operational reliability.

This role sits at the centre of the programme and requires close collaboration with engineering leadership production flight testing and product teams to ensure the successful delivery of complex aerospace systems.

As Chief Systems Engineer you will serve as the technical authority across the programme and ensure overall system integrity performance and technical alignment throughout the full development lifecycle.

You will drive systems engineering strategy oversee cross-functional integration and ensure that all engineering disciplines operate against a unified technical vision and architecture.

• Own and govern the overall system architecture and integration strategy across all subsystems
• Define and maintain technical baselines configuration control processes and engineering standards
• Lead system-level trade studies technical reviews risk assessments and root-cause investigations
• Drive cross-functional alignment between mechanical avionics propulsion autonomy payload and flight systems teams
• Ensure system performance reliability safety and scalability requirements are achieved
• Support verification validation qualification and certification activities where applicable
• Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation strategies across the programme lifecycle
• Act as the senior technical escalation point for complex engineering challenges
• Mentor engineering teams and promote systems engineering best practices across the organisation

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering or a related discipline
• Extensive experience in aircraft UAV aerospace or defence systems engineering
• Strong expertise in systems architecture integration verification and technical governance
• Deep understanding of aerospace development standards configuration management and certification pathways
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering programmes in complex environments
• Strong analytical thinking decision-making and communication skills
• Experience working in high-growth fast-paced engineering organisations is highly desirable
• Defence or autonomous systems experience is considered a strong advantage