Operations Planning & Analytics Lead (All genders)

Academic Key; München; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark, a defence-tech leader in Munich, seeks an Operations Planning & Analytics Lead to own policy-as-code across autonomous platforms. You will design and govern OPA policies, align them with security and compliance, and drive multi-domain operational readiness in complex environments.

You will mentor teams, optimize policy evaluation, and collaborate with security and engineering leads to ensure efficient policy governance across cloud and edge deployments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and deploying Open Policy Agent (OPA) and authoring complex Rego policies in production.
• Strong background in cloud-native technologies (Kubernetes, Docker, Service Mesh) and microservices architecture.
• Hands-on experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Solid understanding of security standards, RBAC/ABAC models, and identity management (OAuth2, OIDC, SPIFFE/SPIRE).
• Fluency in English and degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or equivalent practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and implementation of OPA and Rego policies across multi-cloud and edge infrastructure.
• Establish policy governance models, CI/CD integration, and automated testing frameworks for policy-as-code.
• Collaborate with security and engineering leads to embed authorization checks into microservices and autonomous agents.
• Optimize Rego policy evaluation performance and resource consumption for resource-constrained edge systems.
• Monitor, audit, and troubleshoot policy decisions in high-throughput production environments.
• Mentor engineering teams on policy-as-code best practices and secure system design.

Skills

OPA/Rego policies

Kubernetes

Docker

Service Mesh

CI/CD / DevSecOps

Infrastructure as Code

RBAC/ABAC & IAM

English proficiency

Education

CS or Cybersecurity degree

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

Operations Planning & Analytics Lead (All genders)

Munich, Bavaria Link validated

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

Our team is responsible for architecting, delivering, and scaling Open Policy Agent (OPA) integration across autonomous systems and cloud platforms. We bridge security, compliance, and engineering to enforce fine-grained access controls in real-time mission environments. Working closely with core systems engineers and security specialists, we ensure robust policy execution at scale.

YOUR MISSION

As OPA Lead, you will define and execute the policy-as-code strategy across STARK's autonomous defense platforms. You will lead the design, implementation, and governance of OPA policies to maintain security, compliance, and multi-domain operational readiness.

WHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK

• Lead the architecture and implementation of OPA and Rego policies across multi-cloud and edge infrastructure.
• Establish policy governance models, CI/CD integration, and automated testing frameworks for policy-as-code.
• Collaborate with security and engineering leads to embed authorization checks into microservices and autonomous agents.
• Optimize Rego policy evaluation performance and resource consumption for resource-constrained edge systems.
• Monitor, audit, and troubleshoot policy decisions in high-throughput production environments.
• Mentor engineering teams on policy-as-code best practices and secure system design.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE MISSION

• Proven experience designing and deploying Open Policy Agent (OPA) and authoring complex Rego policies in production.
• Strong background in cloud-native technologies (Kubernetes, Docker, Service Mesh) and microservices architecture.
• Hands-on experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Solid understanding of security standards, RBAC/ABAC models, and identity management (OAuth2, OIDC, SPIFFE/SPIRE).
• Fluency in English and degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or equivalent practical experience.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience in the defence, aerospace, or critical infrastructure sectors.
• Familiarity with edge computing architectures and embedded runtime environments.
• Active NATO security clearance or eligibility for rapid clearance processing.

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.