Systems Engineer & Safety & UAS

STARK; Swindon; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge defence technology company is seeking a Systems Safety Lead to drive safety for their next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This position requires significant experience in systems engineering and safety, along with expertise in integrating complex systems. The candidate will work within multidisciplinary teams, leading safety programs and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate should possess a degree in a relevant engineering field and have proven experience in safety analysis and verification activities. This role requires effective communication skills and the ability to manage tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Significant industry experience with systems engineering and safety responsibility on UAV or complex platforms.
• Strong practical experience in integrating complex systems.
• Proven track record in compliance analysis and verification activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety for UAS product development and upgrades.
• Work within multidisciplinary teams across the UAS lifecycle.
• Establish and execute the safety program through rigorous analysis.

Skills

Systems engineering

Safety analysis

Integration of complex systems

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical engineering

Tools

IBM DOORS

Requirements management tools

Job description

Permanent employee, Full-time

Swindon

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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems, not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe today.

Your mission

You will be the systems safety lead for a next-generation Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), driving a safety-by-design approach across the entire product lifecycle. This includes ensuring all mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems meet stringent safety requirements. As a Principal / Senior Systems Engineer, you will define the safety‑critical architecture and interfaces, manage safety integration and verification activities, and drive system safety validation through rigorous testing, hazard analysis, and compliance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the system safety lead for UAS product development and upgrades, owning overall platform safety and coherency from concept through delivery.
• Work day‑to‑day within multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, avionics, software, test) across the full lifecycle of UAS design, integration, test and fielding.
• Conceptualise and capture system architecture for new platforms and enhancements, producing technical trade studies, safety‑critical sizing, and system performance assessments.
• Establish and execute the system safety program, including the development of Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHA) and System/Subsystem Hazard Assessments (SHA/SSHA).
• Lead and coordinate Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) activities across multidisciplinary teams.
• Produce layout and system design plans, define Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and enforce interface control processes for mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems.
• Establish and maintain requirements baselines, including safety requirements, and traceability using industry tools (e.g., IBM DOORS) and MBSE approaches.
• Implement robust change control processes to manage and assess the impact of all design changes on system safety and compliance.
• 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.
• Manage tactical engineering tasks during development sprints and test campaigns, resolving cross‑discipline issues and maintaining configuration control.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical or a closely related Engineering discipline.
• Significant industry experience with demonstrable systems engineering and system safety responsibility on UAV/aerospace or equivalent complex, safety‑critical platforms.
• Strong practical experience integrating complex systems: power systems, RF/EMC, EO sensors, networking, flight controllers and payload interfaces.
• Proven track record in requirements capture, compliance analysis, and verification/validation activities; proficient with requirements management tools (IBM DOORS or similar).
• Demonstrable experience leading and executing safety analyses, including Hazard Assessments (PHA/SHA/SSHA) and FMEA/DFMEA.
• Familiarity with safety standards (e.g., ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO‑178C, DO‑254) and the principles of requirements and change control in a regulated environment.
• Familiarity with MBSE principles, interface control processes and configuration management in regulated environments.
• 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.
• Security‑cleared or eligible to obtain UK defence clearance.

Desirable

• Prior experience leading Systems Engineering and authoring safety assurance documentation and risk management artefacts.
• Experience integrating complex/custom payloads for partner or customer use (hardware, electrical and software interfaces).
• Background in start‑up or scale‑up environments where rapid prototyping, iterative testing and pragmatic engineering decisions are typical.

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, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. 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 the position.

We are looking forward to hearing from you! Thank you for your interest in STARK.