Battery System Engineer/Architect (all genders)

About Us

STARK is a European defence technology company building the next generation of unmanned systems. We design, develop and manufacture software-defined, mass-scalable and cost-effective platforms that give NATO operators a decisive edge in highly contested environments. We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance capability — not future promises. In a time of rising threats, our work strengthens the technological edge of NATO Allies and their partners.

Your mission

As a Battery System Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and integration of high-performance battery packs for our fleet of drones. Because every gram and watt matters in aviation, you will focus heavily on optimizing for Size, Weight, and Power while ensuring uncompromising safety, thermal stability, and cycle life. You will work cross-functionally with mechanical, firmware, and aerospace engineers to seamlessly integrate the battery system into our application.

Responsibilities

• System Design & Architecture: Lead the architectural design of bespoke battery packs tailored to the high-discharge and strict weight requirements of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).
• BMS Integration: Work closely with firmware and electronics teams to define requirements for Battery Management Systems (BMS), including state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) algorithms, cell balancing, and fault protection logic.
• Thermal & Mechanical Management: Collaborate with mechanical engineers to design lightweight enclosures and thermal mitigation strategies that prevent overheating during peak flight loads.
• Testing & Validation: Develop rigorous test plans for battery packs at the cell, module, and pack levels using testing equipment. Conduct thermal runaway, drop, vibration, and environmental testing.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure all battery designs meet relevant international safety and transport standards (e.g., UN 38.3).
• Manufacturing Support: Partner with supply chain and external contract manufacturers to transition designs from prototype to mass production, ensuring high yield and quality control.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ years of professional experience in battery system design, preferably in aerospace, automotive (EV), or consumer electronics

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of lithium-based battery chemistries, failure modes, and degradation mechanisms.
• Experience with BMS architecture, cell monitoring, and protection circuitry.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g.,Catia) and PCB design/review tools (e.g., Altium).
• Familiarity with communication protocols such as CAN, I2C, and UART.

• Hardware Experience: Hands-on experience building prototypes, soldering, and using lab equipment (oscilloscopes, electronic loads, battery cyclers).

Nice to have

• Direct experience designing battery systems specifically for drones, eVTOLs, or other electric aircraft.
• Familiarity with writing test scripts using Python or MATLAB for data analysis.

For more details, please contact Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner via talent@stark-defence.com