Associate IT Systems Administrator (all genders)

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, 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.

Your mission

Support the development, integration, testing, and continuous improvement of IT-based hardware systems for drone Ground Control Stations and related operational setups. You will work hands-on with ruggedized computers, tablets, networking equipment, routers, radios, power systems, peripheral devices, cabling, and Linux-based system environments to create reliable and field-ready GCS solutions. A key part of the role is the practical integration of IT hardware into different GCS variants, including mobile ground stations, vehicle-based installations, handheld versions, boat-based setups, and other mission-specific configurations. You will help ensure that all components interact reliably, are properly configured, well documented, maintainable, and ready for testing, production, and operational deployment.

This role is strongly hands-on and combines IT system understanding, hardware integration, workshop readiness, and practical problem-solving in fast-moving development and test environments., IT Hardware Integration: Integrate ruggedized laptops, tablets, routers, switches, radios, power components, displays, controllers, peripheral devices, and other IT hardware into complete Ground Control Station setups.

• GCS Variant Development: Support the development and optimization of different GCS variants, including mobile cases, vehicle-mounted systems, handheld solutions, boat-based setups, and other operational configurations.
• System Configuration: Configure and maintain Linux-based systems, network devices, routers, connected hardware, and peripheral components to ensure stable and repeatable system behavior.
• Network & Interface Integration: Support the integration of IP-based networks, device interfaces, local system connections, authentication concepts, and communication paths between GCS components.
• Hardware Interaction: Ensure reliable and efficient interaction between IT systems, radios, networking equipment, power components, sensors, controllers, and operational software tools.
• Cabling & Build Quality: Design, implement, and maintain clean, robust, serviceable, and field-ready cable management and physical integration concepts for mobile and ruggedized deployments.
• Power & Energy Concepts: Support the integration of battery-based power systems, charging concepts, fallback power supply solutions, power distribution, and energy management for different GCS variants.
• Testing & Troubleshooting: Conduct hands-on testing, debugging, and optimization of integrated hardware and IT setups in workshops, labs, vehicles, boats, and outdoor test environments.
• Production & Supply Chain Support: Support production readiness by defining repeatable build setups, hardware dependencies, configuration baselines, parts requirements, and clear handover documentation.
• Documentation: Document system setups, hardware configurations, network settings, dependencies, test results, build instructions, and lessons learned in a clear, structured, and maintainable way.

• Experience: Around 3 years of professional experience in IT systems integration, hardware integration, systems engineering, field engineering, technical operations, or a related hands-on technical role. Stronger junior or mid-level candidates can also be considered if they bring the right practical profile.
• IT Systems Understanding: Good practical understanding of computers, operating systems, network devices, routers, interfaces, peripheral hardware, and system configuration in technical environments.
• Linux & Networking: Experience working with Linux-based systems and basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, routing, switching, VLANs, device configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Hardware Integration: Proven hands-on experience integrating hardware components into complete system setups, ideally involving ruggedized IT equipment, mobile systems, vehicles, field equipment, or operational hardware.
• Hands-On Mentality: Strong practical mindset with the ability to solve problems directly on hardware, in workshops, during integration activities, or in field-testing environments.
• Power & Cabling: Experience with power management concepts, wiring, cabling, connectors, cable routing, charging setups, and robust physical system integration.
• Field Readiness: Comfortable working in workshops, vehicles, test sites, outdoor environments, and other practical integration contexts.
• Adaptability: High level of adaptability and willingness to work in a dynamic, experimental, and continuously evolving engineering environment.
• Communication: Solid English skills are required. German skills for technical communication, supplier interaction, and documentation are a plus.
• Team Fit: Ability to work collaboratively in a small, cross-functional team and communicate clearly and reliably with engineering, production, supply chain, and testing teams.
• Clearance: Ability to obtain appropriate security clearance required for the position.

Nice to have

• Experience with Ground Control Stations, unmanned systems, drones, robotics, defence systems, or other mission-critical technical platforms.
• Experience integrating IT hardware into vehicles, boats, mobile shelters, field cases, handheld systems, or other ruggedized environments.
• Experience with ruggedized laptops or tablets, routers, switches, radios, antennas, power stations, controllers, displays, and peripheral equipment.
• Familiarity with Bundeswehr requirements or operational deployment contexts.
• Experience with Linux system setup, hardening, scripting, or system image preparation.
• Experience with network security, device hardening, authentication concepts, VPNs, firewalls, or secure system configurations., This is a role for someone who combines IT understanding with hands-on hardware integration, practical problem-solving, and the ability to turn complex technical setups into reliable, maintainable, and deployable systems.

If you’re interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your CV in English. We’re looking forward to meeting you!

At STARK, you will work directly on the systems that enable operators to control, communicate with, and deploy autonomous platforms in demanding environments. You will not only configure hardware from behind a desk; you will help build real systems, solve practical integration challenges, and improve GCS variants that need to work reliably in the field.