Safety & Compliance Lead - Maritime Autonomy

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.

As the maritime industry shifts toward full autonomy, the barrier to entry isn't just technical capability; it is regulatory trust. While Work Boat Code 3 and Secure by Design initiatives protect us from external threats and provide the standard that must be achieved, the Safety & Compliance Lead ensures our systems are Safe by Design to deliver those standards.

This role is the critical bridge between high level international standards (IMO) and our internal engineering output. You will be the architect of our IMO/Naval Authority compliance and Software Integrity Policy (SIP), ensuring that every line of code and physical system we deploy is stable, reliable, and legally compliant within the evolving global maritime domain.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary interface with the Naval Authority and international regulators.
• Interpret and apply complex standards (e.g., IMO MASS Code, ISO/IEC standards, DEFSTA) across different jurisdictions.
• Stay ahead of shifting international standards to ensure long term alignment of our autonomous platforms.
• Establish and lead the framework for proving system integrity from day one.
• Develop the Software Integrity Policy (SIP) to satisfy Naval Authority and IMO requirements.
• Mitigate the risk of 'retrospective engineering' by embedding safety requirements into the early stages of the SDLC.
• Construct comprehensive 'Evidence Packages' that prove systems are safe for operational use.
• Oversee validation and verification (V&V) processes specifically geared toward autonomous control systems.
• Manage the variations in software and hardware development standards required for different global markets.
• Work alongside the Security Lead to form a 'Compliance and Assurance' powerhouse.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate abstract regulatory text into actionable technical requirements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Safety Engineer within the Maritime, Aerospace, or Defense sectors.
• Deep understanding of Software Integrity Levels (SIL) and their application in autonomous systems.
• Familiarity with Naval Authority Rules and the emerging IMO MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships) regulatory landscape.
• Ability to balance rigorous safety requirements with the agility needed for project delivery.
• A 'systems thinking' approach, understanding how software safety impacts hardware performance and environmental risk.
• Exceptional ability to synthesise technical data into clear compliance reports for external auditors.
• Experience in a 'Lead' or 'Head of' capacity, capable of fostering a robust safety culture across a multi-disciplinary team.

For this position you must be eligible for UK Security Clearance and travelling to South Devon on a regular basis.

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.