Flight Test Engineer (m/f/d) in Gotha

STARK is a new kind of defence technology company, revolutionizing 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.

We’re focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems.

In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe.

As a Flight Test Engineer, you are the "Conductor of the Flight Line." Depending on your seniority, you will be responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of our flight test campaigns, from initial planning and hazard assessment to execution and deep-dive data analysis.

Beyond the technical data, you serve as the primary Onsite Leader.

You are the person who ensures testing priorities are crystal clear to everyone on the range.

You manage the daily tempo, coordinate the crew, and ensure that every person, from pilots to software engineers, knows exactly which tests are being conducted and when.

Your mission is to transform raw flight data into actionable insights while maintaining a high-tempo, disciplined, and safe testing environment.

• Onsite Test Coordination & Leadership
• Act as the Onsite Test Coordinator: Lead daily operations on the range, ensuring the team stays focused on the primary test objectives.
• Clarify Priorities: Maintain and communicate the "Daily Flight Schedule," ensuring everyone knows the sequence of events and current testing priorities.
• Lead Briefings: Drive the morning "Pre-Flight Brief" and the evening "Debrief," capturing critical feedback and setting goals for the following day.
• Resource Management: Coordinate the availability of airframes, ground support equipment, and personnel to maximize range time efficiency.
• Flight Execution & Safety
• Coordinate and execute UAV flight tests in compliance with regulatory requirements and STARK safety standards.
• Ensure all flight activities and anomalies are documented with high fidelity.
• Develop specific Flight Test Techniques (FTTs) and instrumentation requirements to capture critical performance metrics.
• Lead Flight Readiness Reviews (FRR) and contribute to safety review boards.
• Test Design & Data Analysis
• Develop comprehensive flight test plans, test cards, and rigorous flight test hazard assessments (FTHA).
• Process and analyze flight data using MATLAB or Python to validate system performance against requirements.
• Work closely with Ardupilot and PX4-based flight control systems to iterate on flight behavior and performance.
• Manage the configuration of flight test articles, ensuring all hardware and software versions are meticulously tracked.
• Your First 12 Months
• Month 0–1: Integration — Deep dive into STARK UAV architectures and safety manuals. Shadow current flight tests to learn our operational tempo and coordination style.
• Month 1–3: Operational Lead — Begin acting as the primary Onsite Coordinator for production tests.

Take ownership of the daily flight schedule and ensure high-fidelity logging of all sorties.

• Month 3–6: Optimization — Lead complex experimental campaigns. Refine our onsite communication tools to ensure 100% clarity on test priorities across the engineering team.
• Month 6–12: Leadership — Act as Test Director for multi-asset campaigns.

Mentor junior engineers and pilots on structured test execution, range management, and regulatory compliance.

Educational & Legal Background

• Degree: Bachelor’s or higher in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• NATO Citizenship: Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations).
• Communication: Professional-level written and verbal English.
• Technical & Leadership Toolkit
• Coordination Skills: Proven ability to lead a technical team on-site, manage schedules, and communicate priorities clearly under pressure.
• Data Mastery: Practical experience in data reduction and analysis using MATLAB or Python.
• UAV Systems: Familiarity with Ground Control Stations (GCS), telemetry systems, and mission planning tools.
• Testing Rigor: Proven ability to plan and conduct system-level tests in an aerospace or defense environment.
• Mindset & Style
• The "General" Mindset: You are naturally organized and can work through ambiguity on the flight line.
• Analytical & Decisive: You can analyze a data anomaly quickly and decide whether to continue testing.
• Meticulous Documenter: You believe that if it wasn't documented with high fidelity, the test never happened.
• Preferred Experience
• Active experience as an FTE or Test Director in crewed or uncrewed aviation.
• Hands-on experience with flight test instrumentation (FTI) and DAQ systems.
• Experience with Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation environments.
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