Autopilot Engineer

About STARK

STARK is a pioneering defense technology company, revolutionizing the deployment of autonomous systems across various domains. We specialize in designing, developing, and manufacturing high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective. Our mission is to provide operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments. We are committed to delivering deployable, high-performance systems today, not just future promises. In the face of rising threats, STARK is strengthening the technological capabilities of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe—right now.

Your Mission as an Autopilot Engineer

Reporting directly to the Head of the Control team, your mission as an Autopilot Engineer will be to develop and customize autopilot firmware for cutting-edge autonomous system operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and customize autopilot firmware to enable reliable, safe, and robust autonomous operations across multiple mission profiles and environments.
• Implement and maintain low-level drivers for onboard sensors and actuators (e.g., IMU, payload interfaces), ensuring accurate data acquisition and real-time performance.
• Integrate autopilot functionality with AI-based autonomy, perception, and mission-planning systems, enabling adaptive behaviors.
• Develop and maintain interfaces and communication layers (e.g., MAVLink) between the autopilot, flight controller, ground control systems, and higher-level autonomy stacks.
• Conduct system-level testing, debugging, and validation of autopilot firmware, including fault analysis and performance optimization on real hardware.
• Integrate and validate autopilot software in simulation environments, including Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL), to support rapid iteration and safe deployment.
• Contribute to architecture and design decisions related to flight control, autonomy, safety mechanisms, and redundancy.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (AI, systems engineering, hardware, testing, and operations) to ensure seamless system integration and mission readiness.
• Identify technical risks, propose mitigation strategies, and help resolve complex engineering challenges throughout the development lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement of development processes, coding standards, documentation, and testing methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• 10–15 years of professional experience in autopilot, flight control, or embedded software development for autonomous systems, UAVs, or comparable safety-critical platforms.
• Deep expertise in MAVLink protocol, including custom message development and system integration.
• Strong hands-on experience with PX4 firmware architecture, customization, and deployment.
• Advanced proficiency in C++ for embedded and real-time systems, and Python for tooling, scripting, and simulation workflows.
• Excellent understanding of microcontrollers and real-time operating systems (RTOS), including timing constraints, scheduling, and resource management.
• Solid knowledge of flight dynamics, control theory, avionics, and state estimation as applied to autonomous aerial systems.
• Proven ability to debug complex, multi-layered systems involving hardware, firmware, and software interactions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-responsibility environment.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset; ability to mentor junior engineers and contribute positively to team culture.

Nice to Have

• Drone Pilot License or hands-on operational experience with UAVs.
• Experience with safety-critical or defense-grade systems, including redundancy, fail-safe mechanisms, and certification-oriented development.
• Familiarity with GNSS-denied navigation, sensor fusion, or contested-environment operations.
• Experience working with hardware bring-up, custom flight controllers, or new sensor platforms.

Key Skills/Competency

• Autopilot Firmware Development
• MAVLink Protocol
• PX4 Firmware
• C++ (Embedded Systems)
• Python Scripting
• Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS)
• Flight Dynamics & Control Theory
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) Testing
• Sensor Fusion
• Autonomous Systems Integration