Quality Management Lead (All Genders)

STARK; München; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK Defence in Munich seeks a Head of Quality Management to own global compliance across programs, products, and suppliers. You will shape the quality framework to meet NATO and allied standards and build a high-performing compliance organization.

The role requires 5+ years in regulated aerospace, deep ISO9001/EN9100/AQAP-2105 knowledge, and strong leadership in fast-growth environments. Fluency in German and English is essential, with the ability to interact with NATO and authorities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in Compliance, Quality, or Regulatory roles in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to build and lead Compliance or Quality functions at company level.
• Deep expertise in ISO9001, EN 9100, AQAP-2105, and NATO regulatory and contracting requirements.
• Strong experience with supplier compliance, manufacturing environments, and configuration management in complex systems (e.g., UAVs, missiles, aerospace subsystems).
• Demonstrated success in leading audits and acting as senior interface with government and defense customers.
• Experience managing and developing teams, with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on mindset combined with strategic thinking and the ability to operate in fast-paced scale-up environments.
• Proficiency working in German & English language is a must.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and continuously improve the company-wide Compliance and Quality framework in alignment with ISO9001, EN 9100, AQAP-2105, and applicable defense standards.
• Establish STARK’s Quality Management Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, industrial scaling needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Own and manage the Quality Management function budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to support scaling operations.
• Prepare and lead the ISO9001 certification audit
• Act as the primary executive-level interface with NATO, GQARs, and national authorities on all compliance and regulatory matters.
• Ensure robust implementation of quality management compliance processes across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, including audits, corrective actions, and governance reviews.
• Define and monitor company-level compliance KPIs (e.g., audit performance, nonconformity rates, regulatory adherence), reporting insights to executive leadership.
• Ensure readiness for audits, inspections, product acceptance, and certification activities across customers and regulatory bodies.
• Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Skills

ISO9001

EN9100

AQAP-2105

NATO Regulations

Audits & Certifications

Leadership & Team Building

Regulatory Strategy

German & English Proficiency

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

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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

We’re focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems—not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe—today.

Your Mission

Own and scale STARK’s company-wide Quality Management function, ensuring full alignment with aerospace and defense regulations while enabling rapid industrialization. You will define and lead the global quality management framework, acting as the authority on regulatory adherence, quality compliance, and governance across all programmes, products, and suppliers. You will build and lead a high-performing compliance organization that supports STARK’s growth while maintaining the highest standards required by NATO and allied partners.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement, and continuously improve the company-wide Compliance and Quality framework in alignment with ISO9001, EN 9100, AQAP-2105, and applicable defense standards.
• Establish STARK’s Quality Management Strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives, industrial scaling needs, and regulatory requirements.
• Own and manage the Quality Management function budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to support scaling operations.
• Prepare and lead the ISO9001 certification audit
• Act as the primary executive-level interface with NATO, GQARs, and national authorities on all compliance and regulatory matters.
• Ensure robust implementation of quality management compliance processes across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain, including audits, corrective actions, and governance reviews.
• Define and monitor company-level compliance KPIs (e.g., audit performance, nonconformity rates, regulatory adherence), reporting insights to executive leadership.
• Ensure readiness for audits, inspections, product acceptance, and certification activities across customers and regulatory bodies.
• Foster a culture of compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Required Skills

• 5+ years of experience in Compliance, Quality, or Regulatory roles within aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industries.
• Proven track record of building and leading Compliance or Quality functions at company level, ideally in scaling or industrialising environments.
• Deep expertise in ISO9001, EN 9100, AQAP-2105, and NATO regulatory and contracting requirements.
• Strong experience with supplier compliance, manufacturing environments, and configuration management in complex systems (e.g., UAVs, missiles, aerospace subsystems).
• Demonstrated success in leading audits and acting as senior interface with government and defense customers.
• Experience managing and developing teams, with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands-on mindset combined with strategic thinking and the ability to operate in fast-paced scale-up environments.
• Proficiency working in German & English language is a must.

Equal Opportunity

At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.

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.