Senior Embedded Software Engineer

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 — providing operators with a decisive edge in 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

As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer you will play a key role in designing, developing, and optimizing software for real-time embedded systems in our platforms. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware engineers, systems engineers, and flight software teams to deliver robust and secure embedded solutions. 

You will design and develop low-level embedded firmware for safety-critical drone systems. You will own real-time firmware components running on STM32-based platforms, enabling reliable communication, control, and fault-handling capabilities in mission-critical environments. You will work close to the hardware, contributing to system integration, debugging, and safety-oriented embedded architecture in compliance-driven development environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop embedded firmware in native C for STM32-based embedded systems

• Design and implement real-time software for safety-critical drone and aerospace applications

• Build low-level drivers, communication interfaces, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers

• Implement robust fault detection, watchdog, redundancy, and failsafe mechanisms

• Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to support board bring-up, validation, and system integration

• Analyse and troubleshoot complex hardware-software interaction issues using oscilloscopes, debuggers, and logic analysers

• Contribute to safety-critical development processes, verification activities, and technical documentation

• Support architecture discussions and technical decision-making for embedded platform development

• Ensure firmware reliability, maintainability, and deterministic real-time behaviour under demanding operating conditions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field. 

• 5+ years of embedded firmware development experience

• Strong native C programming skills in embedded or low-level environments

• Hands-on experience with STM32 microcontrollers 

• Experience developing real-time embedded systems using RTOS or bare-metal architectures

• Ability to read schematics and collaborate effectively with hardware engineering teams

• Strong debugging and hardware interaction skills using embedded development and measurement tools

• Strong systematic and analytical thinking skills

Nice to have

• Experience with IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or DO-178C environments
• German language skills for collaboration with customers and procurement stakeholders
• SIL2, functional safety, or equivalent safety-critical software development experience
• Exposure to drone, avionics, robotics, or autonomous systems development
• Experience working within regulated or high-reliability industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, railway, industrial automation, or medical devices