Systems Engineer (All Genders)

STARK; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark Defence seeks a Systems Engineer to lead the integration of next‑generation unmanned surface vehicles (USV). You will define architectures, manage interfaces, and drive verification and validation activities to deliver a mission-ready platform.

You will work with mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, and test teams across the full lifecycle, ensuring coherence and on‑time capability delivery in a fast‑moving environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Systems, Maritime, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering.
• Proven systems engineering responsibility on autonomous platforms.
• Experience with V-Model and interface design.

Responsibilities

• Lead system integration for USV product development and upgrades.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, and test.
• Conceptualise system architecture and produce trade studies and performance assessments.
• Define ICDs and enforce interface control processes.
• Lead V&V and acceptance activities: tests, reports.
• Support bench builds and vessel testing (VLOS/BVLOS) and travel as required.
• Coordinate payload integration and ensure on-time delivery.
• Analyse telemetry to improve reliability and uptime.

Skills

Systems engineering

Autonomous systems experience

V-Model methodologies

Education

Engineering degree (Systems/Maritime/Aerospace/Electrical)

Tools

Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

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.

We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.

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.

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 lead 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.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the system integration lead for USV product development and upgrades, owning overall platform coherency from concept through delivery.
• Work day-to-day within multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, control hardware, software, test) across the full lifecycle of USV design, integration, test and fielding.
• 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.
• Act as the technical interface between internal teams, suppliers and customers to coordinate payload integration, unique/custom hardware or software interfaces, and ensure on-time capability delivery.
• Perform data analysis to maximise uptime: review test telemetry, identify trends and failure modes, and contribute to predictive maintenance / reliability improvements.

Required Skills

• Degree (or equivalent) in Systems, Maritime, Aerospace, Electrical or a closely related Engineering discipline.
• Significant industry experience with demonstrable systems engineering responsibility on complex 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.
• Ideally you will hold a UK Security clearance or be eligible to obtain UK defence clearance and 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.

Our Commitment to the Armed Forces Community

We are proud to hold the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), reflecting our meaningful commitment and ongoing support for UK defence personnel. At our core, we believe in championing those who serve, those who have served, and their families. As part of this scheme, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment where members of the Armed Forces community can thrive and bring their invaluable skills to our team.

Equal Opportunity

At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under‑represented. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

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.