Tactical Data Link Expert (all genders)

Stark; München; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK is a defence technology company pioneering autonomous systems in Munich and Berlin, delivering real software for mission-critical operations. The Minerva team connects operators to autonomous systems with real-time data links in challenging environments.

You will support development, integration, testing, and deployment of tactical data link capabilities across unmanned systems, Ground Control Stations, and command networks, focusing on secure, reliable communication with military networks

Qualifications

• Around 5 years of professional experience in tactical communications, military data links, SATCOM, RF systems, or related field.
• Practical understanding of Link 16, Link 22, SATCOM or comparable tactical data links.
• Ability to understand complex communication architectures involving platforms, radios, antennas, modems, networks, and interfaces.
• Strong interoperability mindset: how data is exchanged, interfaces defined, and tested.
• Technical communication skills to bridge operators, engineers, and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Tactical Data Link Integration: integrate Link 16, Link 22, SATCOM into STARK platforms and Ground Control Station environments.
• Interoperability concepts: define concepts enabling reliable data exchange between unmanned systems, GCS, command centers, and allies.
• Requirements translation: convert operational requirements into technical interface definitions and test needs.
• System interface support: coordinate with engineering, RF, and GCS teams on interfaces, configurations, and constraints.
• SATCOM & Beyond-Line-of-Sight: support integration activities for SATCOM and long-range connectivity options.
• Testing & validation: plan lab/field tests and interoperability checks for data link setups.
• Security & reliability: contribute to robust, mission-ready communication architectures.

Skills

Tactical Data Link

Link 16

Link 22

SATCOM

RF systems

Systems engineering

Interoperability testing

Technical communication

Job description

About Us 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 Minerva is STARK's command and control software - the brain that connects operators to autonomous systems across multiple domains in real time. The Minerva team is a small, senior software group based in Berlin and Munich, working directly with our systems and hardware teams to build mission-critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments. 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.

Your mission Support the development, integration, testing, and operational use of tactical data link capabilities for STARK's unmanned systems, Ground Control Stations, and wider command-and-control environments. You will help ensure that our systems can communicate reliably and securely with military networks, command posts, allied platforms, and mission systems. A key part of the role is to evaluate, understand, and integrate tactical communication standards and technologies such as Link 16, Link 22, SATCOM, and other military data link solutions. You will translate operational communication requirements into practical integration concepts, test setups, and deployable system configurations.

Responsibilities

• Tactical Data Link Integration: Support the integration of tactical data link capabilities such as Link 16, Link 22, SATCOM, and other military communication systems into STARK platforms and Ground Control Station environments.
• Interoperability Concepts: Define and support communication concepts that enable reliable data exchange between unmanned systems, GCS setups, command centers, allied platforms, and external mission systems.
• Requirements Translation: Translate operational and military communication requirements into technical integration requirements, interface definitions, test needs, and subsystem-level implementation concepts.
• System Interface Support: Work with engineering, software, network, RF, modem, antenna, and GCS teams to align interfaces, protocols, data flows, configuration requirements, and integration constraints.
• S ATCOM & Beyond-Line-of-Sight Support: Support concepts and integration activities for SATCOM, long-range communication paths, and other beyond-line-of-sight connectivity options.
• Testing & Validation: Plan and support lab tests, field tests, interoperability checks, and validation activities for tactical data link and communication setups.
• Security & Reliability: Contribute to secure, robust, and mission-ready communication architectures, considering availability, latency, data integrity, authentication, and operational constraints.
• Supplier & Partner Coordination: Work with external suppliers, partners, military stakeholders, and internal teams to assess data link options, integration dependencies, and technical feasibility.
• Documentation: Document data link concepts, interface assumptions, configuration settings, integration dependencies, test results, and recommended operational setups in a clear and maintainable way.

Qualifications

• Experience: Around 5 years of professional experience in tactical communications, military data links, SATCOM, RF systems, communication engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
• Tactical Data Link Knowledge: Practical understanding of military data link technologies such as Link 16, Link 22, SATCOM, or comparable tactical communication systems.
• Systems Understanding: Ability to understand complex communication architectures involving platforms, radios, antennas, modems, networks, command systems, software interfaces, and operational workflows.
• Interoperability Mindset: Strong understanding of how different systems exchange data, how interfaces are defined, and how interoperability is tested and validated.
• Technical Communication: Ability to translate between operational users, engineering teams, software developers, RF specialists, suppliers, and program stakeholders.
• Testing & Documentation: Experience supporting technical tests, integration trials, validation activities, or operational demonstrations, including structured documentation of results an