Head of Flight Test Engineering (All Genders)

Skdse; United States; Remote; USD 157,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark is seeking a Head of Flight Test to lead and own the flight test organization from pilots and operators to test engineers and safety teams. The role starts in Germany and scales to a global capability by 2028, with local units in the UK, Ukraine, and Greece, under national authorities.

You will decide how fast we test and how safely we do so, coordinating across production, experimental, and customer-facing campaigns while ensuring compliance with permits for diverse loitering munitions

Responsibilities

• Own STARK’s flight test organisation end to end, including pilots, operators, flight test engineers, and safety staff.

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.

Your Mission As Head of Flight Test,

you own STARK’s flight test organisation end to end: the pilots and operators who fly the aircraft, the flight test engineers who design the tests and run the instrumentation, the operations managers who deliver production, experimental, and customer-facing campaigns, and the staff responsible for flight test safety and operating permits. You will start in Germany, turning a fast-growing team into a mature flight test capability of roughly 40+ people that can execute operations in multiple locations, with requisite Operator permits (civil and military) as needed for the different classes of loitering munition and drones in STARK’s growing portfolio. From there you build outward to 2028: a global organisation with local units in the UK, Ukraine, and Greece, each running common STARK processes under its own national authority. You are accountable for how fast STARK tests and how safely it does so. When those two pull against each other, you make the decision and take ow