Senior Ground Test 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.

About the team

You will join a growing, highly collaborative test engineering team focused on pushing our loitering munition platforms to their absolute limits. You will work directly alongside veteran flight test, propulsion, and senior RF engineers, while benefiting from dedicated project management support. Our team culture is fast-paced and deeply hands-on; we value engineering autonomy and the ability to troubleshoot complex systems on the fly. We are actively expanding our capabilities, moving from localized pre-compliance testing to establishing a fully equipped, world-class internal ground testing workshop.

Your mission

As a Senior Ground Test Engineer, you will be a driving force behind expanding STARK’s physical testing capabilities and building up our internal workshop infrastructure. While initially supporting our critical E3 (EMI/EMC) campaign alongside our senior RF specialists, your broader mission will be to establish and execute ground testing pipelines for environmental chambers, vibration, shock, and systems integration. Operating with high autonomy, you will procure the necessary equipment and coordinate with external test partners to ensure our systems reliably meet strict military qualification standards.

Responsibilities

• Build up and equip  our internal ground test workshop, identifying hardware needs, managing procurement for test tools, and establishing our in-house pre-compliance testing environment.

• Expand testing capabilities  beyond the initial E3 campaign to introduce environmental certification pipelines, including climate and environmental mechanical conditions.

• Execute standard integration ground testing  on new and existing systems to validate and prove system behavior against rigorous technical requirements.

• Coordinate test campaigns  with external partners  and commercial test facilities (such as IABG), managing logistics, resource readiness, and scheduling for formal certifications.

• Perform hands-on troubleshooting  and root-cause analysis during test execution, implementing immediate on-the-spot fixes or documenting detailed findings to drive design improvements.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with electronics design, systems engineering, and flight test teams to transform test data into actionable requirements for next-generation platforms.

• Author comprehensive test documentation , including Test Requests (TRQs), procedural step-by-step instructions, test matrices, and formal data recording sheets.

• Ensure strict adherence  to safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and military standard testing methodologies throughout all test campaigns.

Qualifications

• Professional Experience: Â 5+ years of hands-on ground testing, qualification, or hardware integration experience within the defense, aerospace, or UAV sectors.

• Testing Diversification:Â Direct experience executing ground qualification testing under military or aerospace standards (e.g., STANAG 4370, MIL-STD-810) specifically across environmental, climatic, or dynamic (vibration/shock) regimes.

• Workshop Setup: Â Experience specifying, procuring, and setting up laboratory or workshop test equipment (diagnostic tools, sensors, data acquisition systems).

• Autonomy:  A highly independent, proactive working style ("eigenständig") with a proven track record of driving test campaigns from preparation through to final reporting.

• Problem Solving: Â Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to safely isolate anomalies in complex electrical and mechanical systems.

• Language Skills: Â Professional working proficiency in English; conversational German language knowledge is advantage.Â

Nice to have

• Direct testing experience with loitering munitions, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or guided tactical hardware.

• Existing relationships or familiarity with European test houses and certification bodies (such as IABG).

• Experience with automated test script generation or data post-processing tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Nominal).

• Testing Diversification:Â Direct experience executing ground qualification testing under military or aerospace standards (e.g., STANAG 4866 4867 4868, MIL-STD-461 -464, AECTP-100 to 600, DO-160)Â specifically across environmental, climatic, or dynamic (vibration/shock) regimes.