Systems Engineer

Stark Defence; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK Defence is seeking a Systems Engineer to architect reliability and performance for next-generation autonomous platforms. You will support safety-by-design, manage cross-functional integration, and ensure end-to-end traceability using IBM DOORS.

You'll lead hazard analyses (PHA/SHA/SSHA), drive FMEA/DFMEA activities, and coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to keep requirements aligned with mission goals and compliance standards. UK travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechatronics or related engineering field.
• Strong grasp of the Systems Engineering V-model and safety-critical autonomy.
• Familiarity with power, RF, sensors or embedded controllers through projects or experience.
• Ability to capture complex requirements and master verification and validation (V&V).
• Intro awareness of ARP4754A, ISO 26262 or DO-178C, and willingness to apply.
• Clear technical communication and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel for field testing across the UK and Europe; security clearance eligible.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical coherency of autonomous products from concept to delivery, aligning subsystems with mission goals.
• Collaborate daily with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to bridge requirements and design.
• Lead Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHA) and System/Subsystem Hazard Assessments (SHA/SSHA).
• Drive FMEA and DFMEA activities to improve resilience and mitigate single points of failure.
• Define Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and system architecture layouts for data and power flows.
• Maintain requirements baselines and end-to-end traceability using IBM DOORS.
• Assess design-change impacts to preserve safety and performance.
• Participate in rapid development sprints and field test campaigns with configuration control.

Skills

Systems engineering

V-model

Safety-critical

Requirement capture

Field testing

MBSE

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Systems/ Aerospace/ Electrical/ Mechatronics

Tools

IBM DOORS

Job description

About Us

STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising 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.

We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems today. At STARK, you will be part of a mission-driven team bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies to deter aggression and defend Europe.

About the team

Your mission

As a Systems Engineer, you will be a key architect of reliability and performance for our next-generation autonomous platforms. You will support a safety-by-design approach, ensuring that complex mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems work in perfect harmony. This is a hands-on role where you will manage cross-functional integration, lead hazard analyses, and validate system integrity through rigorous testing and compliance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical coherency of autonomous products from concept to delivery, ensuring all subsystems (sensing, compute, and actuation) align with mission goals.

• Work daily with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to bridge the gap between high-level requirements and low-level design.

• Lead Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHA) and System/Subsystem Hazard Assessments (SHA/SSHA) to identify and mitigate risks early in the design cycle.

• Drive FMEA and DFMEA activities to ensure system resilience and identify potential single points of failure.

• Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and system architecture layouts to manage complex data and power flows.

• Maintain requirements baselines and end-to-end traceability using industry-standard tools like IBM DOORS.

• Conduct impact assessments for design changes to ensure system safety and performance are never compromised.

• Participate in rapid development sprints and field test campaigns, resolving engineering hurdles in real-time and maintaining strict configuration control.

Qualifications

• Degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechatronics, or a related Engineering discipline.

• A strong grasp of the Systems Engineering V-model and an interest in safety-critical, autonomous platforms.

• Familiarity with diverse systems such as power distribution, RF, sensors, or embedded controllers through projects or professional experience.

• A clear understanding of how to capture complex requirements and a desire to master verification and validation (V&V) processes.

• Introductory awareness of safety‑critical standards (e.g., ARP4754A, ISO 26262, or DO‑178C) and a willingness to apply these to novel technologies.

• Sharp written and verbal skills with an eye for technical detail.

• Ability to thrive in a high‑growth startup environment and willingness to travel for field testing across the UK and Europe.

• Must be security‑cleared or eligible to obtain UK defense clearance.

Desirable

• Experience with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or digital twin concepts.

• Background in rapid prototyping or working within a fast‑paced hardware‑software startup.

• A personal passion for robotics, edge computing, or multi‑domain autonomous technology.

Nice to have