Systems Engineer (All genders)

STARK; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

STARK is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead the integration of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and associated subsystems, spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains. You will define architecture, interfaces, and verification plans to ensure a mission-ready platform.

You will work with cross-disciplinary teams across the lifecycle, perform system trade studies, and drive sea trials and acceptance testing. UK travel and security clearance eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering (Systems/Maritime/Electrical) required.
• Experience with complex maritime or autonomous systems is essential.
• Strong ability to integrate multiple subsystems and manage interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Lead vessel payload integration with customer and suppliers.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, and test teams across lifecycle.
• Define system architecture and ICDs; perform trade studies and performance assessments.
• Design communications paths, power distribution, and redundancy strategies.
• Create layout and interface control documents; enforce interface processes.
• Lead V&V and acceptance: write test plans, schedule tests, and compile reports.
• Support bench builds and hands-on sea trials; travel for testing as required.
• Analyze test telemetry to identify trends and improve reliability.

Skills

Systems integration

Maritime systems

V-Model

Telemetry analysis

Payload interfaces

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's in Systems/Maritime/Electrical Eng

Job description

At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.

WHY JOIN US

• The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.
• You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.
• We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.

About The Team

STARK is bringing its expertise in software-defined unmanned systems to the maritime domain. Traditional fleets alone cannot safeguard this vast, critical space. Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) extend naval reach at lower cost and reduced risk to personnel. Our maritime family of systems is AI-enabled and built for reliable performance in the harshest seas, delivering NATO a fully integrated hardware-software capability for scalable ISR and strike operations.

YOUR MISSION

You will work on system-level integration for next-generation Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), ensuring all mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems operate as a single, mission-ready platform. As a Systems Engineer you will define architecture and interfaces, manage integration and verification activities, and drive system validation through sea trials and acceptance testing.

What You Will Do At Stark

• Serve as integration lead for Vessel payload concepts and fitouts, including customer and supplier facing representation.
• Work alongside multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, test) on the full lifecycle of USV design, integration, test and trials.
• Conceptualise and capture system architecture for new platforms and for enhancements to existing platforms, producing technical trade studies, sizing and system performance assessments.
• Systems-level design of communications pathways, distribution and redundancy tactics.
• Produce layout and system design plans, define Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and enforce interface control processes for mechanical, electrical and software subsystems.
• Lead Verification & Validation (V&V) and acceptance activities: author test plans and procedures for critical subsystems, schedule and run tests, and compile written test reports.
• Support bench builds and hardware integration, and conduct hands-on vessel testing (VLOS/BVLOS) including travel to test ranges and customer sites as required.
• Perform data analysis to maximise uptime: review test telemetry, identify trends and failure modes, and contribute to predictive maintenance / reliability improvements.

What You Bring To The Mission

• Degree (or equivalent) in Systems, Maritime, Aerospace, Electrical or a closely related Engineering discipline.
• Proven industry experience with demonstrable systems engineering responsibility on complex Maritime or Autonomous systems/platforms.
• Strong practical experience integrating complex systems: power systems, RF/EMC, EO sensors, networking, embedded controllers and payload interfaces.
• Proven track record in applying V-Model techniques within an engineering design project.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments and to travel within the UK/Europe for testing and integration.
• A genuine passion for system development, integration and testing and a collaborative, inclusive team approach.
• Either hold a UK Security clearance or be eligible to obtain UK defence clearance.
• Be able to travel to the South West England area when required.

NICE TO HAVE

• Maritime product development experience and familiarity with appropriate standards: MCT/IMO/DNV.
• Background in start-up or scale-up environments where rapid prototyping, iterative testing and pragmatic engineering decisions are typical.

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.