C-UAS Payload Integration Manager

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.

• Own day-to-day technical integration across hardware, payload, and embedded subsystems, working directly with engineering teams to resolve interface conflicts as they arise.

• Apply discipline across integration activities, maintaining traceability between requirements, design, and verification.

• Translate requirements and constraints between hardware, software, payload, and systems engineering teams, closing ambiguity at the interfaces rather than escalating it.

• Identify and resolve technical dependencies across teams before they become integration blockers, not after.

• Introduce structure, documentation, and change control into an integration function that doesn't have it yet, without freezing the speed the program needs.

• Work hands-on with engineers on the test floor and at the bench when a problem needs solving in person, not via status update.

• Act as a technical sparring partner to the integration lead, sharing context and pressure-testing decisions across the integration scope.

• Shape the build-out of the wider integration team, contributing to role definition and technical interviewing as the team scales.

• Report integration status, risks, and blockers in terms program leadership can act on, translating engineering reality into business decisions.

• Proven system integration experience in hardware, payload, embedded, defence, or aviation environments.

• Technical depth strong enough to work as a peer with engineers, not just manage their timelines.

• Track record owning technical dependencies and interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines simultaneously.

• Background in either systems/hardware engineering or technical program management, with hands-on integration exposure either way.

• Experience on complex, multi-team technical programs, defence, aerospace, automotive, or comparably regulated sectors.

• A pragmatic, low-ego, execution-first operating style: you bring structure to chaos, you don't wait for chaos to resolve itself.

• Fluent German and professional English. You'll work directly with German-speaking engineering teams daily.

• Experience building or scaling a technical/integration team from scratch.

• Background in UAS, C-UAS, or loitering munition systems specifically.

• Familiarity with formal systems engineering tooling (requirements management, configuration/change control platforms).

• Prior experience in a scale-up or fast-growth engineering environment.