Associate Systems Administrator (All Genders)

STARK; München; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK in Germany is seeking a hands-on IT Hardware Integration specialist for the Minerva team in Berlin and Munich. You will integrate rugged laptops, tablets, routers, and power systems into complete Ground Control Station setups and ensure reliable operation in field environments.

You will work on Linux-based systems, networking, and hardware interfaces, with a focus on documentation, repeatable builds, and cross-functional collaboration with production, supply chain, and testing teams.

Qualifications

• Approximately 3 years of professional experience in IT systems or hardware integration.
• Strong practical understanding of computers, OS, network devices, and system configuration.
• Experience with Linux-based systems, IP networking, and debugging.
• Hands-on hardware integration experience in rugged or field environments.
• Ability to solve problems on hardware in workshops or field testing.
• German language skills are a plus; English proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• System Configuration: configure and maintain Linux-based systems and network devices.
• Network & Interface Integration: integrate IP networks and device interfaces.
• Hardware Interaction: ensure reliable interaction between IT systems and hardware.
• Cabling & Build Quality: design and maintain cable management for rugged deployments.
• Power & Energy Concepts: support battery power systems and charging solutions.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: hands-on testing and debugging in various environments.
• Production & Supply Chain Support: define repeatable build setups and handover docs.
• Documentation: document configurations, dependencies, test results, and build instructions.

Skills

IT Systems Integration

Hardware Integration

Linux & Networking

Hands-on Mentality

Power & Cabling

Field Readiness

Adaptability

English communication

Job description

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

Minerva is STARK’s command and control software — the brain that connects operators to autonomous systems across multiple domains in real time. The Minerva team is a small, senior software group based in Berlin and Munich, working directly with our systems and hardware teams to build mission-critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments.

We move fast, ship real software, and operate under constraints most engineers never encounter — low-bandwidth networks, air-gapped devices, high-stakes decision loops. There is no room for abstraction for its own sake. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field.

Your Mission

Support the development, integration, testing, and continuous improvement of IT-based hardware systems for drone Ground Control Stations and related operational setups. You will work hands‑on with ruggedized computers, tablets, networking equipment, routers, radios, power systems, peripheral devices, cabling, and Linux-based system environments to create reliable and field‑ready GCS solutions.

A key part of the role is the practical integration of IT hardware into different GCS variants, including mobile ground stations, vehicle‑based installations, handheld versions, boat‑based setups, and other mission‑specific configurations. You will help ensure that all components interact reliably, are properly configured, well documented, maintainable, and ready for testing, production, and operational deployment.

This role is strongly hands‑on and combines IT system understanding, hardware integration, workshop readiness, and practical problem‑solving in fast‑moving development and test environments.

Responsibilities

IT Hardware Integration:Integrate ruggedized laptops, tablets, routers, switches, radios, power components, displays, controllers, peripheral devices, and other IT hardware into complete Ground Control Station setups.

GCS Variant Development:Support the development and optimization of different GCS variants, including mobile cases, vehicle-mounted systems, handheld solutions, boat-based setups, and other operational configurations.

• System Configuration: Configure and maintain Linux-based systems, network devices, routers, connected hardware, and peripheral components to ensure stable and repeatable system behavior.
• Network & Interface Integration: Support the integration of IP-based networks, device interfaces, local system connections, authentication concepts, and communication paths between GCS components.
• Hardware Interaction: Ensure reliable and efficient interaction between IT systems, radios, networking equipment, power components, sensors, controllers, and operational software tools.
• Cabling & Build Quality: Design, implement, and maintain clean, robust, serviceable, and field‑ready cable management and physical integration concepts for mobile and ruggedized deployments.
• Power & Energy Concepts: Support the integration of battery-based power systems, charging concepts, fallback power supply solutions, power distribution, and energy management for different GCS variants.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: Conduct hands‑on testing, debugging, and optimization of integrated hardware and IT setups in workshops, labs, vehicles, boats, and outdoor test environments.
• Production & Supply Chain Support: Support production readiness by defining repeatable build setups, hardware dependencies, configuration baselines, parts requirements, and clear handover documentation.
• Documentation: Document system setups, hardware configurations, network settings, dependencies, test results, build instructions, and lessons learned in a clear, structured, and maintainable way.

Required Skills

Experience:Around 3 years of professional experience in IT systems integration, hardware integration, systems engineering, field engineering, technical operations, or a related hands‑on technical role. Stronger junior or mid‑level candidates can also be considered if they bring the right practical profile.

IT Systems Understanding:Good practical understanding of computers, operating systems, network devices, routers, interfaces, peripheral hardware, and system configuration in technical environments.

Linux & Networking:Experience working with Linux-based systems and basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, routing, switching, VLANs, device configuration, and troubleshooting.

Hardware Integration:Proven hands‑on experience integrating hardware components into complete system setups, ideally involving ruggedized IT equipment, mobile systems, vehicles, field equipment, or operational hardware.

Hands‑On Mentality:Strong practical mindset with the ability to solve problems directly on hardware, in workshops, during integration activities, or in field‑testing environments.

Power & Cabling:Experience with power management concepts, wiring, cabling, connectors, cable routing, charging setups, and robust physical system integration.

Field Readiness:Comfortable working in workshops, vehicles, test sites, outdoor environments, and other practical integration contexts.

Adaptability:High level of adaptability and willingness to work in a dynamic, experimental, and continuously evolving engineering environment.

Communication:Solid English skills are required. German skills for technical communication, supplier interaction, and documentation are a plus.

Team Fit:Ability to work collaboratively in a small, cross‑functional team and communicate clearly and reliably with engineering, production, supply chain, and testing teams.

Clearance:Ability to obtain appropriate security clearance required for the position.

Nice-To-Have

• Experience with Ground Control Stations, unmanned systems, drones, robotics, defence systems, or other mission‑critical technical platforms.
• Experience integrating IT hardware into vehicles, boats, mobile shelters, field cases, handheld systems, or other ruggedized environments.
• Experience with ruggedized laptops or tablets, routers, switches, radios, antennas, power stations, controllers, displays, and peripheral equipment.
• Familiarity with Bundeswehr requirements or operational deployment contexts.
• Experience with Linux system setup, hardening, scripting, or system image preparation.
• Experience with network security, device hardening, authentication concepts, VPNs, firewalls, or secure system configurations.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.