Senior Safety Engineer - Loitering Munition Systems (All Genders)

STARK; München; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK Systems Engineering leads the architecture and safety validation for the VLMS and its subsystems. You will join a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team driving safety across software, hardware, and safety disciplines.

The Safety Engineer is responsible for defining, implementing, and verifying system safety throughout the lifecycle, ensuring compliance with MIL-STD-882E, AOP-52, IEC 61508, and NATO requirements for defense applications.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of professional experience in System Safety or Functional Safety.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Safety Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a comparable field.
• Fluent English and German, preferably at C1/C2 level or above.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute the System Safety Program per MIL-STD-882E and NATO standards.
• Conduct hazard analyses for hardware and software (PHA, SSHA, SHA, FMEA/FMEDA).
• Implement functional safety requirements for E/E/PE systems with IEC 61508 guidance for defense applications.
• Prepare safety documentation and safety justifications for NATO customers and internal use.
• Define internal safety processes and support safety reviews and OHS compliance.

Skills

System Safety

Functional Safety

Hazard Analysis

German/English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Safety Engineering or related field

Tools

MIL-STD-882

AOP-52

IEC 61508

Job description

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

The Systems Engineering team at STARK is at the core of defining, analyzing, and validating the architecture of our flagship Virtus Loitering Munition System (VLMS) and its subcomponents. Our mission is to seamlessly bridge the gap between high-level customer requirements (such as Bw LaFos) and actionable engineering deliverables across software, hardware, and safety disciplines. You will be joining a highly agile and multidisciplinary group that works closely with subsystem owners, safety engineers, and product management to ensure total coverage of operational needs. We thrive on direct collaboration, rapid iteration, and maintaining robust traceability from Concept of Operations (ConOps) down to L3 technical requirements.

Your Mission

As a Safety Engineer you will be responsible for defining, implementing, and verifying the safety of our advanced Loitering Munition systems throughout their entire lifecycle, ensuring compliance with both national (German) and international (NATO) military and relevant civil aviation standards. This is a critical role to ensure both product safety (functional and ordnance) for our NATO customers and occupational safety in our operations.

Responsibilities

• Plan, establish, and execute the System Safety Program (SSP) in accordance with MIL-STD-882E (Standard Practice for System Safety) and relevant AOP-52 (Guidance on Software Safety Design and Assessment of Munition-Related Computing Systems) or equivalent NATO standards.
• Conduct and manage formal safety analyses, including Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Subsystem Hazard Analysis (SSHA), System Hazard Analysis (SHA), Operating and Support Hazard Analysis (O&SHA), and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA/FMEDA) for both hardware and software.
• Implement and verify functional safety requirements for electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic systems, with a strong focus on the methodology and lifecycle approach of IEC 61508 (Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-Related Systems) adapted for defense applications.
• Prepare and manage safety-related documentation, including Safety Cases, Safety Assessment Reports (SAR), and Safety Justifications required for domestic and NATO customer acceptance and service suitability (S3) certification.
• Maintain an awareness of civil aviation safety standards from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), particularly in areas like Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or other relevant regulations, to address potential dual-use or operational safety aspects in controlled airspace.
• Translate customer (NATO/military) and statutory safety requirements into verifiable system and subsystem requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and acceptance boards as the safety Subject Matter Expert (SME).
• Support the company’s OHS program, ensuring compliance with German Occupational Safety Law (Arbeitssicherheitsgesetz - ASiG) and related regulations for handling ordnance and operating complex machinery.
• Define and implement internal safety processes, tools, and best practices to continually improve the company’s safety culture and management system.

Required Skills

• 3–5 years of professional experience in System Safety, Functional Safety, or Product Safety, preferably within the defense, aerospace, or complex critical systems industry (e.g., rail, automotive with transferrable knowledge).
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Safety Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a comparable technical field.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD-882, AOP-50 series (e.g., AOP-52), and IEC 61508.
• Fluent English and German, preferably at C1/C2 level or above.
• Knowledge of German defense and ordnance safety regulations, as well as an awareness of EASA safety standards and their potential relevance to UAV/munition systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and presentation abilities, and the capacity to work effectively in interdisciplinary, multi-national teams.

Nice-To-Have

• Industry certifications or qualifications in Systems Engineering (e.g. from INCOSE).

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.