Senior GCS Network Engineer

About Us

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.

Your mission

Engineer, build, secure, and maintain mission-critical network connections between autonomous aerial, waterborne, and ground systems and NATO-grade command centers, ensuring reliable, low-latency, and secure transmission of telemetry and high-bandwidth video with zero compromise on operational safety.

Responsibilities

• Integrate and optimize resilient data links to ensure high availability across ground control station (GCS) environments.
  
  

• Harden network infrastructures by implementing and optimizing security features across network devices and Linux-based workstations, including OS and port hardening and ACL management.
  
  

• Lead network performance optimization efforts to minimize latency and maximize throughput for real-time visualizations and sensor streams.
  
  

• Act as the escalation point for network performance issues, conducting advanced diagnostics using tools such as iperf, Wireshark, tcpdump, and other CLI-based analysis tools to resolve jitter, packet loss, and throughput constraints.
  
  

• Support the completion and integration of ground control stations in line with Bundeswehr (Bw) requirements.
  
  

• Collaborate with UAV development teams on radio data links between drones and ground control stations across different platforms and operational scenarios.
  
  

• Contribute to defining network engineering standards, documentation, and review processes to establish best-in-class practices.

Qualifications

• +7 years of professional experience in network engineering
  
  

• Proven hands-on experience implementing and optimizing IPv4 and IPv6 in production network environments.
  
  

• Experience integrating 4G/5G connectivity into enterprise or tactical architectures, including APNs and cellular signal optimization.
  
  

• Strong background in securing and hardening network infrastructures, including ACLs, OS hardening (Cisco IOS-XE, Juniper Junos, Arista EOS), port hardening, and Linux-based systems.
  
  

• Expert-level proficiency with Wireshark (stream analysis, protocol decoding), iperf (throughput testing), and related network diagnostic tools.
  
  

• Ability to obtain EU/NATO security clearance.
  
  

• Strong hands-on mentality with a practical problem-solving mindset.
  
  

• Ability to work effectively within a small, highly collaborative team and communicate clearly across technical disciplines.
  
  

Nice to have:

• Experience in high-stakes environments such as defense or telecommunications.
  
  

• Knowledge of radio systems and antenna setups.
  
  

• Familiarity with tactical data links (e.g., Link 16), MANET, or SATCOM integration.
  

• Relevant certifications such as CCNA (Routing & Switching or Security)

If you´re intersted 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