GCS Operator (All Genders)

STARK; München; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK is seeking a GCS Operator to fly missions for UAV test campaigns and to plan sorties, operating Virtus from the Ground Control Station to ensure safe, data-rich flights. You will manage GCS configurations, troubleshoot in flight, and maintain clear communication with the safety pilot throughout each mission.

As you grow, you will train others, contribute to training materials and standard operating procedures, and travel to test sites, working outdoors in varying conditions as part of a

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating UAS from a Ground Control Station.
• Able to plan missions including routing, airspace considerations, and contingencies.
• Solid technical understanding of UAV systems (avionics, datalinks, payloads, flight control modes).
• Calm and structured under pressure; real-time in-air troubleshooting.
• Clear and concise communication; crew coordination.
• Willing to work outdoors, travel to test sites, and thrive in a fast-paced defence-tech startup.
• Strong English; German a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan missions for flight test campaigns translating objectives into flight plans, waypoints, and contingencies.
• Operate Virtus from the GCS during flight, monitor state, telemetry, and link health, and execute test cards.
• Manage configuration changes in the GCS software and verify that versions, parameters, and payload settings match the planned test configuration.
• Troubleshoot in flight, recognise anomalies early, assess options quickly, and act with the safety pilot and FTE.
• Maintain clear, disciplined communication with the safety pilot and flight line, following procedures and callouts.
• Set up and check out the GCS and communication equipment before each flight, and support pre-flight checks and overall readiness.
• Document every flight, including flight logs, anomaly reports, and operator observations for engineering action.
• Provide structured feedback on GCS usability to product and software teams from the customer's perspective.
• As an experienced operator, train internal staff and customer operators, and help develop training material and SOPs.

Skills

GCS operation

Mission planning

UAV systems knowledge

In-flight troubleshooting

Clear communication

Outdoor work travel

English proficiency

Tools

GCS software

Job description

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. Our mission is to bolster the technological edge of NATO Allies and their partners to deter aggression and defend Europe.

About the team

You will join a highly dedicated and hands-on flight test team working closely with engineers, technicians, and remote pilots to bring our UAV platforms from engineering design into physical flight. The team is made up of great people who care deeply about safe, rigorous testing and work closely together to solve problems quickly in the field.

Your mission

As a GCS Operator, you are the person flying the mission. You plan each sortie and operate Virtus from the Ground Control Station (GCS) throughout the flight, from launch to recovery, making sure every test delivers the data our engineers need.

Your seat at the GCS is the same one our customers sit in. Soldiers are trained to operate Virtus within a few weeks; we expect more from you. You will go beyond standard operation: managing configuration changes in the GCS software, diagnosing and resolving issues while the aircraft is airborne, and keeping a clear, calm line of communication with the safety pilot at all times. Your feedback directly shapes how the product looks and feels for the operators who will rely on it in the field.

As you grow in the role, you will also help train others, both internal colleagues and customer operators, passing on the operational know-how that only comes from real flight hours.

Responsibilities

• You plan missions for flight test campaigns, translating test objectives from our Flight Test Engineers (FTEs) into flight plans, waypoints, and contingency procedures.
• You operate Virtus from the GCS during flight, monitoring aircraft state, telemetry, and link health, and executing the test cards safely and precisely.
• You manage configuration changes in the GCS software and verify that software versions, parameters, and payload settings match the planned test configuration.
• You troubleshoot in flight, recognising anomalies early, assessing options quickly, and taking the right action together with the safety pilot and FTE.
• You maintain clear, disciplined communication with the safety pilot and the rest of the flight line, following established crew procedures and callouts.
• You set up and check out the GCS and communication equipment before each flight, and support pre-flight checks and the overall readiness of the aircraft.
• You document every flight, including flight logs, anomaly reports, and operator observations, so that engineering can act on what happened in the air.
• You provide structured feedback on GCS usability, workflows, and operator procedures to the product and software teams, representing the customer's perspective.
• As an experienced operator, you act as a trainer for internal staff and customer operators, and help develop training material and standard operating procedures.

Qualifications

• You have hands‑on experience operating UAS from a Ground Control Station, whether in a military, commercial, or flight test environment.
• You are comfortable planning missions, including routing, airspace considerations, and contingency/emergency procedures.
• You have a solid technical understanding of UAV systems (avionics, datalinks, payloads, and flight control modes) and are confident working with GCS software configurations.
• You stay calm and structured under pressure and can troubleshoot problems in real time while the aircraft is in the air.
• You communicate clearly and concisely, and you understand the importance of crew coordination and a disciplined flight line.
• You are happy to work outdoors in various conditions, travel to test sites, and handle the fast‑paced, iterative nature of a defence‑tech startup.
• You have strong communication skills in English; German is a plus.

Nice to have

• You have a background as a military UAS operator or in a comparable operational role.
• You have experience training or instructing other operators.
• You have exposure to flight testing, test cards, or experimental/developmental aircraft.
• You have experience working with flight logs, telemetry analysis, or UAV communication systems.
• You hold a relevant UAS licence or certificate (e.g. EASA Specific category, STS, or military equivalent).
• You are eligible for, or already hold, a national security clearance.