Lead Software Engineer Maritime

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. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

STARK is bringing its expertise in software-defined unmanned systems to the maritime domain. Traditional fleets alone cannot safeguard this vast, critical space. Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) extend naval reach at lower cost and reduced risk to personnel.

Our maritime family of systems is AI-enabled and built for reliable performance in the harshest seas, delivering NATO a fully integrated hardware–software capability for scalable ISR and strike operations.

your mission

As the Lead Software Engineer (Maritime), you will take full ownership of STARK’s maritime software capability. This is a pivotal "player-coach" role: you will lead the overall maritime software development strategy while remaining deeply hands-on in the code.

Your primary mission is to build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of engineers to integrate autonomous sea systems into the Minerva front-line platform. You will architect modern C++ solutions that bridge the gap between front-line control and edge computing, ensuring our fleet remains reliable, precise, and mission-ready in unpredictable environments.

responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Growth: Actively lead and build the maritime software engineering team. You will be responsible for hiring, mentoring, and developing talent to expand our maritime footprint.

• Technical Ownership: Lead the overall software design, development, and integration for maritime systems within the Minerva ecosystem.

• Hands-on Development: Design and implement core C++ architecture for autonomy, control, and communication subsystems.

• Engineering Excellence: Establish technical foundations, define interfaces, and enforce modern C++ standards through rigorous code reviews and best practices.

• System Integration: Collaborate closely with hardware and systems engineers to ensure software performs flawlessly on physical autonomous platforms.

• Delivery Pipelines: Build and manage robust software delivery pipelines for maritime applications, spanning from edge devices to front-line interfaces.

• Mission Readiness: Define quality benchmarks to ensure all maritime systems are cohesive, resilient, and ready for deployment in harshest sea states.

qualifications

• Expert C++ Developer: Extensive hands-on experience in modern C++ with a "lead by example" approach to coding.

• Proven Leadership: Experience leading technical teams or a strong desire to transition into a formal leadership role while staying hands-on.

• System Architect: A deep understanding of software architecture, integration, and high-level system design.

• Domain Expertise: Background in real-time, embedded, or safety-critical systems (e.g., Automotive, Aerospace, or Defence).

• Autonomous Systems: Familiarity with autonomous control systems, such as autopilots, guidance algorithms, or vehicle dynamics.

• Hardware Interface: Practical experience working with physical hardware, sensors, and complex data communication systems.

• Security: Must be security-cleared or eligible to obtain UK/EU defence-level clearance.