About this role
About Us <p style="border:0px solid;margin:0pt 0px 5pt;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-family:Inter, '-apple-system', 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Open Sans', 'system-ui', '-apple-system', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji';font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;"><span style="border:0px solid;margin:0px;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">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.</span></p><p style="border:0px solid;margin:0pt 0px 5pt;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-family:Inter, '-apple-system', 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', 'Open Sans', 'system-ui', '-apple-system', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji';font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;"><span style="border:0px solid;margin:0px;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">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.</span></p> Your mission <p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:7pt;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><em>As Flight Operations & Safety Lead (UAS Flight Test) at STARK, you are the individual who ensures every test flight we conduct is legally defensible, regulatorily compliant, and commercially insured before the rotors start spinning. You will be the operational backbone of our regulatory function, reporting directly to the Head of Flight Test and also working in close collaboration with our Legal team.</em></span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:7pt;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"><em>You are a hands-on regulatory operator who owns the SORA process end-to-end, manages the interface with National Aviation Authorities, ensures our test crews are qualified and current, and builds the compliance infrastructure that enables STARK to fly faster and more often than any competitor.</em></span></p> Responsibilities <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Lead regulatory and operational approval activities for flight test and UAS operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of test campaigns across Europe.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Prepare and coordinate operational authorisation submissions with aviation authorities, including </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">EASA, the LBA</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">, and other relevant National Aviation Authorities, while managing ongoing compliance obligations.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Support operational risk assessments and safety case development, including the identification of hazards, risk mitigation strategies, operational limitations, and safety requirements for flight testing activities.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Maintain and oversee active flight authorisations, permits, and approvals, ensuring operational readiness and regulatory compliance across all flight operations.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Collaborate with military and civil aviation stakeholders to secure permits, approvals, and clearances required for experimental and developmental flight testing.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Define and implement flight safety procedures, including airspace coordination, flight corridors, exclusion zones, emergency procedures, and range safety requirements.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Develop and continuously improve the company </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Safety Management System (SMS) </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">in line with applicable aviation regulations and industry best practices.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Lead occurrence reporting, safety investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective action tracking to drive continuous operational improvement.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Conduct internal audits, monitor safety performance metrics, and provide safety and compliance reporting to senior leadership.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Oversee pilot and operator qualification records, training compliance, currency requirements, and competency management processes.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Deliver safety training, onboarding programmes, and recurrent training initiatives to support a strong safety culture across the organisation.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Partner with Engineering, Legal, Insurance, and Business Development teams to provide safety, regulatory, and operational expertise for customer engagements, tenders, contracts, and new operational concepts.</span></p></li></ul> Qualifications <p style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:3pt;"><br></p><ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Experience: 4–8 years in aviation safety, flight operations management, or regulatory compliance.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">SORA Expertise: Deep working knowledge of EASA Regulation (EU) 2019/947, the full SORA methodology, and the PDRA framework. Hands-on experience preparing and submitting operational authorisation applications to at least one European NAA.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">SMS Experience: Practical experience with Safety Management Systems, including occurrence reporting, internal auditing, safety risk management, and safety performance monitoring.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Military Awareness: Familiarity with EASA Part 21 (Regulation EU 748/2012) and experience interfacing with national Military Airworthiness Authorities for experimental permits or test flight authorisations.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Languages: Business-fluent English required. German strongly preferred for LBA and Bundeswehr interface.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:11pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Mindset: Structured but pragmatic. You bring order to chaos without creating bureaucracy for its own sake. You build systems that are robust enough for an auditor but lean enough for a startup.</span></p></li></ul> Nice to have <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:11pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">1-3 years directly involving UAS/RPAS operations.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">ISO 9001 or AS9100 Lead Auditor certification.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Specific SORA training from an EASA-recognised or JARUS-accredited provider.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Previous experience with military airworthiness authorities (Bundeswehr, UK MAA, French DGA) for experimental flight testing.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 11pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Experience with aviation insurance processes for experimental or non-standard operations.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;margin-left:-6pt;"><p style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:italic;text-decoration:none;">Knowledge of NATO munitions safety standards (AOP-4107, MSIAC guidance) as applied to loitering munitions.</span></p></li></ul>