Prototyping Project Manager

About Us 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 — providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments.

We are 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.

About the team Focused on developing prototyping concepts for STARK, this team operates at the intersection of rapid engineering and rigorous defense standards, bridging the gap from concept to flight-ready hardware. You will work closely with our Chief Engineer and a dedicated team of UAV Prototyping Engineers to accelerate our development cycles. We prioritize agile iteration, technical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver robust, high-performance systems for contested environments.

Your mission You will support the execution of the prototyping roadmap, ensuring that hardware iterations meet both performance targets and deployment timelines. As Project Manager, you will serve as the glue between our prototyping engineers and external stakeholders, streamlining workflows to reduce development bottlenecks. You will manage resources, risks, and schedules to ensure our systems are ready for testing and validation.

Responsibilities

Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle of the team prototyping cycles, from initial design review to hardware testing.

Coordinate daily operations across a multi-disciplinary team, including UAV Prototyping Engineers and CFD Specialists, to meet sprint goals.

Track progress against key milestones, ensuring resource allocation aligns with technical priorities and project deadlines.

Manage relationships with external suppliers and test facilities to ensure timely delivery of critical components.

Identify and mitigate project risks, proactively addressing technical or supply chain roadblocks that could delay prototyping.

Maintain comprehensive project documentation, ensuring configuration management and design updates are tracked accurately.

Facilitate communication between the engineering team and leadership, providing clear status reports and visibility on delivery timelines.

Optimize prototyping processes to increase iteration speed while maintaining the high quality standards required for defense systems.

Qualifications

3-5 years of experience in project management, specifically within aerospace, defense, or high-tech hardware prototyping.

Demonstrated success in managing cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, including rapid prototyping and testing methodologies.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between technical engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders.

Proficient in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Asana, MS Project) and documentation practices.

Eligibility to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances.

Nice to have

Previous experience with UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) or missile systems.

Knowledge of defense industry quality standards (e.g., ISO 9100, AQAP).

Technical background in mechanical or systems engineering.

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!