Senior Software Engineer – Aerial Swarming (all genders)

STARK; München; Vor Ort; EUR 90.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

STARK in Germany is seeking a Senior Software Engineer focused on Aerial Swarming to enable real-time cooperative autonomy on next-generation multi-UAV platforms. You will work with decentralized routing networks, ROS2-based systems, and embedded compute to build robust swarming capabilities.

Responsibilities span from simulation through field deployment, optimizing real-time communications, and collaborating with AI, controls, and hardware teams. Travel for field tests is expected.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ (C++17/20) for low-latency, multi-threaded embedded and robotics development.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of ROS2 and a strong foundational understanding of DDS architectures for real-time communication.
• Strong experience working with embedded Linux platforms, particularly NVIDIA Jetson devices, and hardware interfaces.
• Familiarity with autonomous swarming algorithms (e.g., flocking, consensus, decentralized task allocation) deployed on physical multi-vehicle systems is highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills, especially in real-time or resource-constrained environments.
• Effective communicator and team player in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for field testing and deployment.

Aufgaben

• Develop and integrate real-time cooperative control, decentralized routing, and perception algorithms on embedded platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson devices.
• Architect and optimize multi-agent communication networks utilizing ROS2 and DDS architectures to ensure reliable data distribution in challenging environments.
• Implement and maintain Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testing environments to rigorously validate swarming features before physical flight.
• Collaborate with AI, controls, and hardware teams to ensure tight integration between swarming behaviors and other onboard subsystems.
• Profile and debug system performance under embedded constraints (compute, thermal, bandwidth), ensuring stability and robustness in multi-vehicle field deployments.
• Contribute to system-level architecture discussions with a focus on communication reliability, modularity, and clean C++ implementation.

Kenntnisse

C++ (C++17/20)

ROS2

DDS

Embedded Linux

NVIDIA Jetson

Real-time / low-latency

Multithreading

Technical communication

Ausbildung

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering/CS/Aerospace

Tools

ROS2

DDS

NVIDIA Jetson

Jobbeschreibung

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.

About the team

We move fast, ship real software, and operate under constraints most engineers never encounter - low-bandwidth networks, air-gapped devices, high-stakes decision loops. There is no room for abstraction for its own sake. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field.

Our Team is dedicated to a mission of pure strikes.

Your mission

As a Senior Software Engineer with a focus on Aerial Swarming, you will play a critical role in enabling real-time cooperative autonomy onboard next-generation multi-UAV platforms. You will work directly with decentralized routing networks, ROS2-based systems, and embedded compute platforms to build robust, efficient, and scalable swarming functionality.

You will contribute as a highly skilled individual contributor-hands-on with the system-bridging diverse codebases, optimizing real-time communications, and taking software from simulation through field deployment. Your work will be essential to ensuring that our autonomous multi-vehicle systems operate reliably in real-world, resource-constrained environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate real-time cooperative control, decentralized routing, and perception algorithms on embedded platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson devices.
• Architect and optimize multi-agent communication networks utilizing ROS2 and DDS architectures to ensure reliable data distribution in challenging environments.
• Implement and maintain Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) testing environments to rigorously validate swarming features before physical flight.
• Collaborate with AI, controls, and hardware teams to ensure tight integration between swarming behaviors and other onboard subsystems.
• Profile and debug system performance under embedded constraints (compute, thermal, bandwidth), ensuring stability and robustness in multi-vehicle field deployments.
• Contribute to system-level architecture discussions with a focus on communication reliability, modularity, and clean C++ implementation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience in robotics, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in modern C++ (C++17/20) for low-latency, multi-threaded embedded and robotics development.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of ROS2 and a strong foundational understanding of DDS architectures for real-time communication.
• Strong experience working with embedded Linux platforms, particularly NVIDIA Jetson devices, and hardware interfaces.
• Familiarity with autonomous swarming algorithms (e.g., flocking, consensus, decentralized task allocation) deployed on physical multi-vehicle systems is highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills, especially in real-time or resource-constrained environments.
• Effective communicator and team player in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for field testing and deployment.

For further information please reach out to Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner via [e-mail]

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.