At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safety for next-gen Unmanned Aerial Systems, ensuring compliance and rigorous testing.
- Company: STARK, a revolutionary defence tech company focused on autonomous systems.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for travel and hands-on experience.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team enhancing NATO's technological edge in real-time.
- Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in systems engineering and safety analysis.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
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.
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
You will be the systems safety lead for a next-generation Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), driving a safety-by-design approach across the entire product lifecycle.
This includes ensuring all mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems meet stringent safety requirements.
As a Principal / Senior Systems Engineer, you will define the safety‑critical architecture and interfaces, manage safety integration and verification activities, and drive system safety validation through rigorous testing, hazard analysis, and compliance reporting.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the system safety lead for UAS product development and upgrades, owning overall platform safety and coherency from concept through delivery.
- Work day-to-day within multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, avionics, software, test) across the full lifecycle of UAS design, integration, test and fielding.
- Conceptualise and capture system architecture for new platforms and enhancements, producing technical trade studies, safety‑critical sizing, and system performance assessments.
- Establish and execute the system safety program, including the development of Preliminary Hazard Analyses (PHA) and System/Subsystem Hazard Assessments (SHA/SSHA).
- Lead and coordinate Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) activities across multidisciplinary teams.
- Produce layout and system design plans, define Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and enforce interface control processes for mechanical, electrical, and software subsystems.
- Establish and maintain requirements baselines, including safety requirements, and traceability using industry tools (e. g., IBM DOORS) and MBSE approaches.
- Implement robust change control processes to manage and assess the impact of all design changes on system safety and compliance.
- Act as the technical interface between internal teams, suppliers and customers to coordinate payload integration, unique/custom hardware or software interfaces, and ensure on‑time capability delivery.
- Manage tactical engineering tasks during development sprints and test campaigns, resolving cross‑discipline issues and maintaining configuration control.
Qualifications
- Degree (or equivalent) in Systems, Aerospace, Electrical or a closely related Engineering discipline.
- Significant industry experience with demonstrable systems engineering and system safety responsibility on UAV/aerospace or equivalent complex, safety‑critical platforms.
- Strong practical experience integrating complex systems: power systems, RF/EMC, EO sensors, networking, flight controllers and payload interfaces.
- Proven track record in requirements capture, compliance analysis, and verification/validation activities; proficient with requirements management tools (IBM DOORS or similar).
- Demonstrable experience leading and executing safety analyses, including Hazard Assessments (PHA/SHA/SSHA) and FMEA/DFMEA.
- Familiarity with safety standards (e. g., ARP4754A, ARP4761, DO‑178C, DO‑254) and the principles of requirements and change control in a regulated environment.
- Familiarity with MBSE principles, interface control processes and configuration management in regulated environments.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; highly organised and detail‑oriented.
- Ability to operate effectively in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments and to travel within the UK/Europe for testing and integration.
- A genuine passion for system development, integration and testing and a collaborative, inclusive team approach.
- Security‑cleared or eligible to obtain UK defence clearance.
Desirable
- Prior experience leading Systems Engineering and authoring safety assurance documentation and risk management artefacts.
- Experience integrating complex/custom payloads for partner or customer use (hardware, electrical and software interfaces).
- Background in start‑up or scale‑up environments where rapid prototyping, iterative testing and pragmatic engineering decisions are typical.
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Systems Engineer – Safety & UAS (All Genders) in Swindon employer: Stark Defence
STARK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among its talented team members. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, STARK provides opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology in the defence sector, all while being part of a mission-driven organisation that plays a crucial role in enhancing security for NATO Allies. Located across key European countries, employees benefit from a diverse and inclusive environment that values their contributions and encourages professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Systems Engineer – Safety & UAS (All Genders) in Swindon
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Stark Defence for a Systems Engineer – Safety & UAS (All Genders). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Systems Engineer – Safety & UAS (All Genders) in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Stark Defence, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Stark Defence, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stark Defence
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Stark Defence.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Stark Defence. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Stark Defence love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
