Skdse
Senior Mesh Network and MAC Engineer Electronic Warfare (All Genders)
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Berlin
Confirm work authorization, visa sponsorship and location requirements with the employer.About the role
At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.
We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.
Why Join Us?
- The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.
- You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.
- We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.
About the Team
STARK's Electronic Warfare team is a systems-focussed engineering group delivering software-defined, mass-scalable RF solutions for autonomous systems. Combining deep domain expertise in hardware board design, thermal/ structural packaging, real-time C++ signal processing, and resilient directional mesh networking, we rapidly build field advanced EW capabilities designed to survive and operate in contested spectrum environments.
Your Mission
At STARK, we are building the next generation of autonomous platforms capable of navigating the world's most contested environments. As a Senior Mesh Network and MAC Engineer you will solve the critical challenges of directional wireless communication in highly dynamic networks. You will design and implement the medium access control (MAC) and routing layers that allow our platforms to form robust, self-healing networks under demanding tactical conditions.
Responsibilities
- Architect and implement MAC protocols and routing algorithms tailored for directional multi-node systems, directly tackling the challenge of neighbour discovery under highly focused, narrow beams.
- Build dynamic TDMA schedules and beam coordination mechanisms in lockstep with the physical layer (PHY) and antenna steering systems, ensuring routing decisions are grounded in real-time RF characteristics rather than simple hop counts.
- Deliver resilient multi-hop relay capabilities that sustain high-bandwidth video and control links between mobile platforms over tactical distances, routing back seamlessly to ground control stations under dynamic conditions.
- Build and maintain multi-node Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testbeds alongside automated logging pipelines to quantitatively evaluate and verify network join times and topology reform behaviours.
- Mesh networking in a product that shipped — sim work alone does not qualify — plus Linux networking at kernel and packet level with live debugging.
- Radio-literate and has designed a medium-access scheme or TDMA schedule.
Required Skills
- You have successfully designed and shipped mesh networking protocols in commercial or defence products.
- Deep, practical familiarity with the Linux networking stack at the kernel and packet levels, coupled with strong live-debugging skills on embedded systems.
- Strong understanding of wireless propagation and physical layer realities, with hands-on experience designing medium-access control schemes or TDMA schedulers.
Nice-To-Have
- Active contributions to open-source routing protocols (e.g., batman-adv, olsrd, Babel).
- A professional background at tactical mesh vendors (such as Silvus, Persistent Systems, TrellisWare, Saab, or Bittium).
- Experience with mmWave backhaul systems or other technologies where directional beamforming is the default mode of operation.
- Batman-adv / olsrd / Babel contributor; tactical mesh vendor background (Silvus, Persistent, TrellisWare, Saab, Bittium); mmWave backhaul — already thinks in beams.
Equal Opportunity:
At Stark Defence, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing team. We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.
If you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications—ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points. We value unique perspectives, adaptability, and a drive to solve high-stakes challenges.
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.
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