Maritime Simulation Engineer – HiL/SiL for Autonomy

Stark Defence; Swindon; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK Defence UK is seeking a Simulation Engineer to design, develop, and maintain high-fidelity SiL and HiL test rigs for autonomous marine vessels. The role focuses on validating autonomy software and sensor suites in realistic, challenging environments.

You will integrate ROS2-based stacks with MAVLink/MAVSDK, develop physics-based vessel models, and script mission simulations for training and validation in demanding conditions.

Qualifications

• Experience modeling marine or vehicle dynamics and sensor physics is a plus.
• Strong programming in C/C++ and Python for simulation pipelines.
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining HIL/SiL test benches.
• Familiarity with PX4 flight/vehicle stacks and ROS2 middleware.
• Ability to debug, validate, and analyze simulator-to-hardware fidelity.

Responsibilities

• HiL/SiL Test Rig Development: Architect, build, and maintain test setups for validating autopilots and autonomy software.
• Physics & Vessel Modeling: Develop physics-based models for hydrodynamics, propulsion, and sensors.
• Autonomy Stack Integration: Connect simulators with ROS2-based stacks and MAVLink frameworks.
• Synthetic Scenarios: Create virtual environments for GPS-denied navigation and degraded weather.
• Verification & Analysis: Compare simulator results with live hardware and sea-trial logs.
• Documentation: Produce design drawings, test plans, and wiring/schematic reports.
• Mission Simulation Support: Script realistic training scenarios and mission simulations.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Simulink

Linux

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Control Systems, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or CS

Tools

PX4

ROS2

MAVLink/MAVSDK

Simulink

Linux

Job description

STARK Defence UK is seeking a Simulation Engineer to design, develop, and maintain high-fidelity SiL and HiL test rigs for autonomous marine vessels. The role focuses on validating autonomy software and sensor suites in realistic, challenging environments.

You will integrate ROS2-based stacks with MAVLink/MAVSDK, develop physics-based vessel models, and script mission simulations for training and validation in demanding conditions.