RF Engineer / RF Technician - Ground Control Station (m/f/d)

NIF; Berlin; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK in Berlin is seeking an RF Engineer to design, integrate, and validate high‑performance RF systems for military UAV platforms. You will deliver secure comms and electronic warfare capability in contested environments, working closely with the Commercial team.

The role requires hands‑on RF design, antenna integration, and system‑level collaboration, with travel to testing sites in Europe and a focus on meeting NATO STANAGs and MIL standards. Fluent English is essential; German is a plus.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience in RF systems design for aerospace, defense, or tactical comms.
• Solid experience with SDRs, RF front‑end design, and antenna integration.
• Knowledge of RF propagation, modulation schemes, spectral efficiency and interference mitigation.
• Familiar with RF test equipment and tools HFSS, CST, MATLAB.
• Understanding of EMC/EMI and ruggedization of RF systems for harsh environments.
• Familiarity with military standards and NATO STANAGs for comms/EW.
• Awareness of civil UAV certification requirements (SC‑Light UAS) is a plus.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to travel to testing sites in Europe; security clearance eligible.
• Fluent in English; German beneficial, other languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and validate RF systems for military UAV platforms.
• Define system‑level requirements and ensure RF systems meet standards.
• Develop robust communication architectures for UAV commands and data transfer.
• Support EW functions such as detection, jamming, spoofing, and RF hardening.
• Perform RF simulations, link budget calculations, and range modeling.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers on antenna placement and SWaP.
• Evaluate and qualify COTS and custom RF components for military use.
• Plan and execute lab testing, range validation, and flight trials.
• Ensure compliance with NATO STANAGs, MIL standards (e.g., MIL‑STD‑461/464/810).
• Contribute to safety, reliability, and certification documentation.

Skills

RF design

Software-defined radios

Antenna integration

EMC/EMI knowledge

Link budget

RF testing

Documentation

Security clearance

Travel willingness

English fluent

Education

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

HFSS

CST

MATLAB

VNAs

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. 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.

You will be working closely with the Commercial team. As an RF Engineer you will Design, integrate, and validate robust RF systems for military UAV platforms, delivering secure communications and electronic warfare capability in contested environments.

• Select, design, and integrate RF hardware including SDRs, antennas, filters, LNAs, power amplifiers, and front-end modules
• Define system-level requirements and ensure RF systems meet performance, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Develop robust communication architectures for UAV command, control, telemetry, and payload data transfer
• Support the design and integration of electronic warfare functions such as signal detection, jamming, spoofing, and RF hardening
• Perform RF simulations, link budget calculations, and range performance modeling
• Work with mechanical and systems engineers on antenna placement, EMC/EMI mitigation, and SWaP optimization
• Evaluate and qualify COTS and custom RF components for use in military platforms
• Plan and execute lab testing, range validation, and flight trials of RF systems
• Ensure compliance with NATO STANAGs, MIL standards (e.g. MIL-STD-461, 464, 810), and relevant frequency allocation regulations
• Contribute to safety, reliability, and certification documentation, including SC-Light UAS or equivalent pathways where applicable

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related discipline
• Experience in RF systems design, ideally in aerospace, defense, or tactical communications
• Solid experience with software-defined radios, RF front-end design, and antenna system integration
• Knowledge of RF propagation, modulation schemes, spectral efficiency, and interference mitigation
• Familiar with RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analyzers, signal generators) and RF design/simulation tools (e.g. HFSS, CST, MATLAB)
• Understanding of EMC/EMI principles and ruggedization of RF systems for harsh environments
• Familiarity with relevant military standards and NATO STANAGs for communication and EW systems
• Awareness of civil UAV certification requirements (e.g. SC-Light UAS) is a plus
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills
• Ability to travel to various testing sites in Europe when needed
• Eligible for security clearance (or already holds one)
• Fluent in English; German is beneficial, additional languages are a plus