About this role
About Us <p><span style="font-size:14px;">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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:14px;">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.</span></p> Your mission <span style="font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Reporting directly to the Head of the Control Team, the Guidance Engineer will drive the development of GNSS-denied navigation, guidance, and terminal autonomy for unmanned aerial systems. This role is central to enabling reliable autonomous operations in contested and degraded environments, from perception-driven navigation to closed-loop terminal guidance.</span> Responsibilities <ul><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Design and implement guidance laws (e.g. proportional navigation, pursuit)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Develop control systems (PID, LQR, MPC, adaptive control) for aerial and mobile platforms</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Build closed-loop autonomy pipelines integrating perception → state estimation → guidance → control</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Implement real-time autonomy algorithms in C++ within ROS2 frameworks</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Translate mission-level objectives into tactical and executable control strategies</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Model system dynamics (aerodynamics, kinematics, actuator constraints)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Develop and integrate software with embedded flight control systems</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Perform system-level debugging across the full autonomy stack</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Support SIL/HIL simulations and real-world flight testing</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Produce technical reports, validation results, and performance analyses </span></li></ul> Qualifications <ul><li><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong foundation in mathematics (linear algebra, differential equations, optimization)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Deep expertise in control theory (PID, state-space control, optimal control)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience with missile guidance laws (e.g. proportional navigation, missile guidance concepts)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Background in robotics / computer engineering / aerospace</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong C++ programming skills (real-time systems)</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Hands-on experience with ROS2</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience with embedded systems / flight controllers</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Ability to design and analyze closed-loop systems</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong debugging, system analysis, and performance evaluation skills</span></li></ul><h3><span style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;">Nice to Have</span></h3><ul><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience with model predictive control (MPC) or advanced control strategies</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Familiarity with nonlinear system modeling and simulation</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience with UAVs, missiles, or high-dynamics autonomous systems</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Knowledge of sensor fusion and navigation integration</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">MATLAB / Python for simulation and prototyping</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience with Monte Carlo simulation and robustness analysis</span></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:14px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Physics background (double major is a strong advantage) </span></li></ul><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">If you are not living in Greece and open to relocating from another EU country we are able to offer relocation allowance for this position.<br></span><br>If you´re intersted in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected in the description above, please send us your <strong><u>CV in English.</u></strong> We´re looking forward to meeting you!