Software IV&V Lead

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 Our team leads the independent validation and verification of complex software systems, bridging the gap between rigorous architectural requirements and deployed capabilities. We operate at the critical intersection of software development and system safety, ensuring every release meets the highest performance and reliability standards. You will work closely with cross-functional partners in sofware & hardware, and flight operations to maintain technical integrity in a fast-paced environment. Your mission As the Software IVV Lead, you will act as the independent software testing and verification authority, ensuring that the standards defined by our architecture are measurably adhered to, rigorously tested, and successfully audited. You will own the strategy, infrastructure, and execution of software validation and verification, serving as the ultimate quality gatekeeper for our software release candidates before they reach hardware integration and testing in the field. Responsibilities • Define the Test Strategy: Establish and enforce the overarching software testing frameworks and QA processes (based on ISTQB) across all software capability teams. • Manage Test Infrastructure & Tooling: Oversee the setup and maintenance of software test environments and test data, ensure the qualification of testing tools, and lead the generation of audit-proof, revision-safe test evidence. • Oversee V&V Execution: Supervise the validation and verification phases of the V-Model, ensuring rigorous unit, integration, and sub-system-level testing are completed before handing over to the Hardware integration and Flight Testing teams. • Ensure Requirements Traceability: Deliver transparency in bidirectional traceability between Software Requirements, architectural design, implementation, and testing. Define and monitor the traceability processes in close collaboration with Software Configuration Management (SCM), ensuring operational compliance. • Govern Defect & Deviation Management: Establish and oversee the interfaces and processes for defect, deviation, and problem management, ensuring all findings from testing are systematically tracked, evaluated, and resolved. • Enforce Code Quality: Drive the adoption of strict coding standards (like MISRA for C++) using automated static analysis and code coverage metrics. • Interface with Configuration Management: Verify compliance with defined SCM processes, auditing baselines, versions, reproducible builds, Software Configuration Indexes, and Release Packages to ensure they meet quality standards. • Act as the Quality Gatekeeper: Provide independent quality gate approvals and formal release recommendations for software release candidates via the Engineering Change Request (ECR) process, while recognizing that the ultimate release decision resides with Product/Program Management. • Manage Audits: Lead the preparation, execution, and follow-up for all internal software QA assessments and external regulatory audits. Qualifications • Proven experience in defining and enforcing software testing frameworks and QA processes based on ISTQB standards. • Deep expertise in managing the validation and verification (V&V) phases of the V-Model for complex software systems. • Hands-on experience with automated static analysis tools and enforcing coding standards such as MISRA for C++. • Strong background in requirements traceability and managing the interface between Software Requirements and test execution. • Solid knowledge of Software Configuration Management (SCM) processes, including version control, reproducible builds, and release auditing. • Demonstrated capability in defect and deviation management, ensuring systematic tracking and resolution of software findings. Nice to have • Professional experience within the defense or aerospace sectors, working with safety-critical software systems. • Familiarity with preparing for and leading external regulatory audits and internal quality assessments. • Experience with flight testing operations or hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration environments. 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!