Flight Test Engineer (All Genders)

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 a Flight Test Engineer, you are the "Conductor of the Flight Line." Depending on your seniority, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of our flight test campaigns, from initial planning and hazard assessment to execution and deep-dive data analysis.

Beyond the technical data, you serve as the primary Onsite Leader. You are the person who ensures testing priorities are crystal clear to everyone on the range. You manage the daily tempo, coordinate the crew, and ensure that every person, from pilots to software engineers, knows exactly which tests are being conducted and when. Your mission is to transform raw flight data into actionable insights while maintaining a high-tempo, disciplined, and safe testing environment.

Responsibilities

Onsite Test Coordination & Leadership

• Act as the Onsite Test Coordinator: Lead daily operations on the range, ensuring the team stays focused on the primary test objectives.
• Clarify Priorities: Maintain and communicate the "Daily Flight Schedule," ensuring everyone knows the sequence of events and current testing priorities.
• Lead Briefings: Drive the morning "Pre-Flight Brief" and the evening "Debrief," capturing critical feedback and setting goals for the following day.
• Resource Management: Coordinate the availability of airframes, ground support equipment, and personnel to maximize range time efficiency.

Flight Execution & Safety

• Coordinate and execute UAV flight tests in compliance with regulatory requirements and STARK safety standards.
• Ensure all flight activities and anomalies are documented with high fidelity.
• Develop specific Flight Test Techniques (FTTs) and instrumentation requirements to capture critical performance metrics.
• Lead Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR) and contribute to safety review boards.

Test Design & Data Analysis

• Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and rigorous flight test hazard assessments (FTHA).
• Process and analyze flight data using MATLAB or Python to validate system performance against requirements.
• Work closely with Ardupilot and PX4-based flight control systems to iterate on flight behavior and performance.
• Manage the configuration of flight test articles, ensuring all hardware and software versions are meticulously tracked.

Your First 12 Months

Timeframe

Focus

Month 0–1: Integration

Deep dive into STARK UAV architectures and safety manuals. Shadow current flight tests to learn our operational tempo and coordination style.

Month 1–3: Operational Lead

Begin acting as the primary Onsite Coordinator for production tests. Take ownership of the daily flight schedule and ensure high-fidelity logging of all sorties.

Month 3–6: Optimization

Lead complex experimental campaigns. Refine our onsite communication tools to ensure 100% clarity on test priorities across the engineering team.

Month 6–12: Leadership

Act as Test Director for multi-asset campaigns. Mentor junior engineers and pilots on structured test execution, range management, and regulatory compliance.

Required Skills

Educational & Legal Background

• Degree: Bachelor’s or higher in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• NATO Citizenship: Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations).
• Communication: Professional-level written and verbal English.

Technical & Leadership Toolkit

• Coordination Skills: Proven ability to lead a technical team on-site, manage schedules, and communicate priorities clearly under pressure.
• Data Mastery: Practical experience in data reduction and analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• UAV Systems: Familiarity with Ground Control Stations (GCS), telemetry systems, and mission planning tools.
• Testing Rigor: Proven ability to plan and conduct system-level tests in an aerospace or defense environment.

Mindset & Style

• The "General" Mindset: You are naturally organized and can work through ambiguity on the flight line.
• Analytical & Decisive: You can analyze a data anomaly quickly and decide whether to continue testing.
• Meticulous Documenter: You believe that if it wasn't documented with high fidelity, the test never happened.

Preferred Experience

• Active experience as an FTE or Test Director in crewed or unmanned aviation.
• Hands-on experience with flight test instrumentation (FTI) and DAQ systems.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environments.

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.

If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications—ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points. We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.

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.

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