Technical Project Manager - Maritime (all gendfers) in Swindon

Overview

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—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. Minerva is STARK's command and control software—the brain that connects operators to autonomous systems across multiple domains in real time. The Minerva team is a small, senior software group based in Berlin and Munich, working directly with our systems and hardware teams to build mission-critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments. We move fast, ship real software, and operate under constraints most engineers never encounter—low‑bandwidth networks, air‑gapped devices, and high‑stakes decision loops. There is no room for abstraction for its own sake. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of maritime autonomy R&D projects, coordinating cross‑functional efforts across software developers, embedded hardware teams, control systems, and sea trials engineers across the UK and Germany.
• Take absolute ownership of the delivery of certification, regulatory compliance cycle, and maritime safety standards for autonomous marine systems.
• Take ownership of compliance and certification cycle within delivery for autonomous marine systems, coordinating with the Compliance Manager to align delivery with classification and national maritime regulatory bodies.
• Lead project planning to synchronize software releases with physical construction and integrations on prototype vessels.
• Establish detailed timelines, work‑breakdown structures, milestones, resource allocation profiles, and risk‑mitigation strategies to deliver features on target.
• Implement dashboards and reporting systems using Jira and Confluence to provide leadership with visibility into project velocity, roadblocks, and delivery status.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in technical project management, systems engineering, or project leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in deep‑tech, defense, aerospace, marine engineering, or high‑growth hardware‑software integration environments.
• Proven track record of managing projects under rigorous safety‑critical certification and compliance standards (e.g., ISO26262, IEC61508, DO‑178C, or maritime classification society rules) following the V&V delivery model.
• High proficiency in modern project management platforms, specifically Jira, Confluence, and advanced planning tools.
• Crisp, structured communication style with the ability to distill complex technical constraints into clear plans and executive summaries.
• Urgency‑driven, execution‑focused mindset with strong sense of personal ownership.
• Prior experience in marine/aerospace engineering, military operations, or defense contracting.
• Knowledge of maritime regulations (COLREGs, SOLAS) and related technologies such as AIS tracking systems.
• Familiarity with autonomous vehicle stacks (UxV), autopilot ecosystems, or robotic control loop development.

Contact

Talent Contact: Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner, via talent@stark-defence.com.