Senior Embedded Software Engineer (All genders)
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Sep 26, 2026. First seen by Alion on Mar 19, 2026. STARK Defence scores B on the Alion truth index.
About Us
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.
Your mission
As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer you will play a key role in designing, developing, and optimizing software for real-time embedded systems in our platforms. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware engineers, systems engineers, and flight software teams to deliver robust and secure embedded solutions.
You will design and develop low-level embedded firmware for safety-critical drone systems. You will own real-time firmware components running on STM32-based platforms, enabling reliable communication, control, and fault-handling capabilities in mission-critical environments. You will work close to the hardware, contributing to system integration, debugging, and safety-oriented embedded architecture in compliance-driven development environments.
Responsibilities
Develop embedded firmware in native C for STM32-based embedded systems
Design and implement real-time software for safety-critical drone and aerospace applications
Build low-level drivers, communication interfaces, bootloaders, and hardware abstraction layers
Implement robust fault detection, watchdog, redundancy, and failsafe mechanisms
Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to support board bring-up, validation, and system integration
Analyse and troubleshoot complex hardware-software interaction issues using oscilloscopes, debuggers, and logic analysers
Contribute to safety-critical development processes, verification activities, and technical documentation
Support architecture discussions and technical decision-making for embedded platform development
Ensure firmware reliability, maintainability, and deterministic real-time behaviour under demanding operating conditions
Qualifications
Bachelor's Master's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of embedded firmware development experience
Strong native C programming skills in embedded or low-level environments
Hands-on experience with STM32 microcontrollers
Experience developing real-time embedded systems using RTOS or bare-metal architectures
Ability to read schematics and collaborate effectively with hardware engineering teams
Strong debugging and hardware interaction skills using embedded development and measurement tools
Strong systematic and analytical thinking skills
Nice to have
- Experience with IEC 61508, ISO 26262, or DO-178C environments
- German language skills for collaboration with customers and procurement stakeholders
- SIL2, functional safety, or equivalent safety-critical software development experience
- Exposure to drone, avionics, robotics, or autonomous systems development
- Experience working within regulated or high-reliability industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, railway, industrial automation, or medical devices