Head of Research And Development

About Us

STARK
is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionizing 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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

We're 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

Lead the research and development function, ensuring efficient coordination between electronics, mechanical, software engineering and delivery teams. The role focuses on turning technological concepts into field-proven UAV solutions — balancing innovation, reliability, and delivery timelines.

Required Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of experience in engineering or R&D within UAVs, robotics, aerospace, or complex mechatronic systems.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, electronics, mechanics, and system integration.
• Experience managing R&D budgets, timelines, and priorities.
• Familiarity with project management tools (Jira, Confluence, etc.) and version control systems.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Upper-intermediate English (or higher).

Nice to have

• Previous work in defense or aerospace projects.
• Experience bringing prototypes into low-rate production.
• Knowledge of certification and testing procedures for UAV systems.
• Background in system architecture or technical program management.

Personal Qualities

• Strategic mindset with hands-on technical awareness.
• Comfortable balancing innovation with delivery discipline.
• Skilled in leading through uncertainty and building processes from the ground up.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Define and drive the R&D roadmap aligned with company goals and product strategy.
• Oversee full R&D lifecycle — from idea validation and prototyping to pre-production testing.
• Manage priorities between ongoing development, experimental research, and system improvements.
• Review and approve key design decisions across hardware, software, and system domains.
• Ensure R&D deliverables meet performance, safety, and reliability requirements.

Team & Process Management

• Build and lead a multidisciplinary R&D team (hardware, software, system, and test engineers).
• Set clear goals, KPIs, and development plans for team members.
• Implement transparent project tracking and reporting routines (roadmaps, milestones, reviews).
• Facilitate technical communication and knowledge sharing between teams.
• Establish structured collaboration with production, procurement, and testing departments.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with Software Hardware Engineering and Delivery teams to translate system-level requirements into actionable R&D tasks.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and QA teams to ensure design-for-production readiness.
• Liaise with suppliers and research partners for new technologies and materials.
• Support testing campaigns and design validation through iterative feedback loops.

If this sounds like your kind of challenge — let's talk.
Apply now or get in touch directly.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Due to the nature of our work in the defense sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.