Lead Software Engineer Maritime

Your mission You'll lead the development of STARK's maritime software capability, integrating autonomous sea systems into the Minerva front-line platform. You'll design and implement modern C++ architecture that connects front-line control with edge computing systems - ensuring reliability, precision, and operational excellence at sea. Responsibilities

• Lead software design, development, and integration for maritime systems within the Minerva platform.
• Develop and maintain core C++ architecture for autonomy, control, and communication subsystems.
• Build and manage software delivery pipelines for maritime applications, from edge to front-line.
• Conduct detailed code reviews and enforce modern C++ standards across the team.
• Collaborate with hardware and systems engineers to integrate code with real-world autonomous platforms.
• Define software structure, interfaces, and quality benchmarks to ensure cohesive, mission-ready systems.
• Support future team growth by establishing technical foundations and engineering best practices.

• Expert in modern C++ with hands-on development experience.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, integration, and system design.
• Experience in real-time, embedded, or safety-critical systems - ideally in automotive, aerospace, or defence.
• Familiar with autonomous control systems such as autopilots, guidance algorithms, or vehicle dynamics.
• Practical experience working with physical hardware, sensors, or data communication systems.
• Advantageous: experience with radar, sensors, maritime systems, or web-based front-ends (TypeScript, React).
• Knowledge of data communications, including Starlink and tactical radio systems, is a plus.
• Security-cleared or eligible to obtain defence-level clearance within the UK/EU.

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.