Senior Mesh Network and MAC Engineer (All Genders)

Stark; Berlin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK is seeking a Senior Mesh Network and MAC Engineer to design MAC and routing layers for directional multi-node systems used in autonomous platforms. You will ensure robust self-healing networks and integration with ground control, emphasizing practical deployment over simulations.

Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with mesh protocols, Linux kernel networking, and experience in beamforming or mmWave backhaul environments, with a track record in defence or high-assurance tech.

Qualifications

• Designed and shipped mesh networking protocols in defence or commercial products.
• Deep familiarity with Linux kernel networking and packet handling on embedded systems.
• Hands-on experience designing MAC schemes or TDMA schedulers.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement MAC protocols and routing for directional multi-node systems.
• Coordinate TDMA schedules with PHY/antenna steering for real-time RF characteristics.
• Deliver multi-hop relays for high-bandwidth video and control links across tactical distances.
• Build and maintain multi-node HIL testbeds with automated logging for network metrics.

Skills

Mesh networking

Linux networking

TDMA scheduling

Live debugging

Embedded systems

Beamforming

Routing protocols

Tools

batman-adv

olsrd

Babel

Job description

About Us

STARK is a defence technology company redefining the engineering and deployment of autonomous platforms. Our core mission is to deliver fully operational unmanned systems, integrating the critical subsystems, including Electronic Warfare, necessary for NATO forces to maintain a decisive advantage in contested environments. We do whatever is required to achieve platform autonomy, grounded in precision, responsibility, and uncompromising engineering discipline.

About the team

We are a lean, agile group with a strong systems-minded focus. We operate without silos, looking for proactive engineers who are excited to take mathematical models off the whiteboard and deploy them onto physical hardware. On our Electronic Warfare algorithms team, you will bridge the gap between theoretical signal processing and real-world hardware execution, taking direct ownership of key software and firmware modules.

Your mission

At STARK, we are building the next generation of autonomous platforms capable of navigating the world's most contested environments. As a Senior Mesh Network and MAC Engineer you will solve the critical challenges of directional wireless communication in highly dynamic networks. You will design and implement the medium access control (MAC) and routing layers that allow our platforms to form robust, self-healing networks under demanding tactical conditions.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement MAC protocols and routing algorithms tailored for directional multi-node systems, directly tackling the challenge of neighbour discovery under highly focused, narrow beams.
• Build dynamic TDMA schedules and beam coordination mechanisms in lockstep with the physical layer (PHY) and antenna steering systems, ensuring routing decisions are grounded in real-time RF characteristics rather than simple hop counts.
• Deliver resilient multi-hop relay capabilities that sustain high-bandwidth video and control links between mobile platforms over tactical distances, routing back seamlessly to ground control stations under dynamic conditions.
• Build and maintain multi-node Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds alongside automated logging pipelines to quantitatively evaluate and verify network join times and topology reform behaviours.
• Mesh networking in a product that shipped - sim work alone does not qualify - plus Linux networking at kernel and packet level with live debugging.
• Radio-literate and has designed a medium-access scheme or TDMA schedule.

Qualifications

• You have successfully designed and shipped mesh networking protocols in commercial or defence products.
• Deep, practical familiarity with the Linux networking stack at the kernel and packet levels, coupled with strong live-debugging skills on embedded systems.
• Strong understanding of wireless propagation and physical layer realities, with hands-on experience designing medium-access control schemes or TDMA schedulers.
• Nice to have Active contributions to open-source routing protocols (e.g., batman-adv, olsrd, Babel).
• A professional background at tactical mesh vendors (such as Silvus, Persistent Systems, TrellisWare, Saab, or Bittium).
• Experience with mmWave backhaul systems or other technologies where directional beamforming is the default mode of operation.
• Batman-adv / olsrd / Babel contributor; tactical mesh vendor background (Silvus, Persistent, TrellisWare, Saab, Bittium); mmWave backhaul - already thinks in beams.