EU remote
Lead Software Engineer (All Gender)
About this role
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. About the Team 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 As the Lead Software Engineer, you will be responsible for leading complex multi-domain software developments for deployment on our growing fleet of autonomous vessels and ground systems. Interfacing with design teams across the UK and Europe, you will be the single coordination and point of contact for all things Maritime Software. This includes directing the roadmap of existing products, leading new developments and interfacing to 3rd party subcontractors and suppliers.
You will need to scale between front-end GUIs, middleware, embedded systems, firmware and deep simulation technologies. Working at the forefront of modern technology: increasing levels of automation and pushing the frontiers when required. Responsibilities Technical coordination and leadership across multiple product developments Best-practice design and implementation of emergent technology software solutions Process management and improvement on software engineering practices High-level conceptual design of new software products - application and embedded level Conduct make-vs-buy tradeoff studies, negotiating with suppliers and subcontractors Interfacing with Systems and Electrical teams to advise on hosting platforms: from PCs to embedded systems.