UAV System Engineer - Data Operations (All genders)

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 with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments. 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. WHY JOIN US • The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty. • You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms. • We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing. ABOUT THE TEAM The Data Operations team owns the entire data lifecycle behind STARK's AI stack: collection, acquisition, generation, curation, and management. We run our own data-collection campaigns across Europe, evaluate new sensors and platforms, and build the internal data platform that turns raw recordings into ready-to-use datasets. Everything we produce feeds directly into the perception and autonomy systems deployed on STARK's platforms — a real data advantage is built, not bought. The team is scaling up right now: real scope, direct impact, no legacy. YOUR MISSION You own our data-collection flights. When the perception team needs a specific dataset — a new camera at a new angle, a lidar over specific terrain, a thermal sensor at dusk — you plan the campaign, configure and tune the platform, fly the mission, and bring clean data home. Our hardware engineer builds the rigs and mounts, our robotics engineer makes the sensors record — you make it all fly, reliably, again and again. This is a role for someone with real stick time and real PX4/ArduPilot depth: not a desk job with occasional field trips, but the other way around. WHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK • Plan and execute field data-collection campaigns across Europe: flight planning, site assessment, pre-flight checks, piloting, logging, and post-flight data offload • Configure, tune, and troubleshoot PX4/ArduPilot flight stacks for stable, repeatable data-collection flights • Analyze flight logs to diagnose issues and continuously improve platform reliability • Operate sensor payloads (cameras, gimbals, lidar, GNSS/IMU) during missions and verify recordings on-site • Keep the fleet mission-ready: maintenance, repairs, spare parts, battery management, and configuration control • Work with our hardware and robotics engineers on payload integration — you define what the platform needs to fly well • Maintain flight logs and campaign documentation so every flight produces usable, traceable data • Ensure operations comply with aviation regulations (EU drone rules) and internal safety procedures WHAT YOU BRING TO THE MISSION • Confident, experienced drone pilot with substantial real-world flight hours (multirotor; fixed-wing a plus), holding an EU A2/A3 certificate or willing to obtain quickly • Solid practical knowledge of PX4 and/or ArduPilot: configuration, parameter tuning, log analysis, MAVLink basics • Hands-on experience assembling, repairing, and maintaining drones — comfortable with soldering, wiring, and multimeter debugging • Experience operating sensor payloads and ground control stations in the field • Practical, structured, and safety-conscious — you find the loose cable before it becomes a crash • Willingness to travel regularly for field campaigns and work outdoors in vari