Lead Systems Engineer — Autonomous USVs & Maritime Systems

Stark Defence; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark Defence in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to lead system-level integration for next-generation Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). You will define architecture, manage integration and verification, and drive system validation through sea trials and acceptance testing.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams across the lifecycle, producing ICDs, integration plans, and test reports, while coordinating with suppliers and customers to ensure on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Systems, Maritime, Aerospace, Electrical or related Engineering discipline.
• Significant industry experience with demonstrable systems engineering responsibility on complex autonomous platforms.
• Strong practical experience integrating complex systems: power, RF/EMC, EO sensors, networking, payload interfaces.
• Proven track record applying V‑Model techniques in engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the system integration lead for USV product development and upgrades.
• Work with mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, and test teams across the lifecycle.
• Conceptualise and capture system architecture; produce trade studies and performance assessments.
• Design communications pathways, distribution, and redundancy tactics.
• Lead V&V and acceptance activities: write test plans, schedule tests, compile reports.
• Support bench builds, hardware integration, and hands-on vessel testing (VLOS/BVLOS).
• Coordinate payload integration with suppliers and customers; manage interfaces.
• Analyze test telemetry to identify trends and improve reliability.

Skills

Systems engineering

V‑Model methods

Multidisciplinary teamwork

System integration

Education

Degree in Systems/Maritime/Aerospace/Electrical Engineering

Tools

Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

Telemetry analysis tools

Job description

Stark Defence in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to lead system-level integration for next-generation Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). You will define architecture, manage integration and verification, and drive system validation through sea trials and acceptance testing.

You will work with multidisciplinary teams across the lifecycle, producing ICDs, integration plans, and test reports, while coordinating with suppliers and customers to ensure on-time delivery.