Flight Test Operations Coordinator (all genders)

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 As Flight Test Operations Coordinator at STARK, you are the person who keeps the machine running at home while the team is in the field. You make sure equipment is packed and ready before a campaign begins, that travel is sorted before anyone has to ask, and that the team on-site can focus on flying rather than logistics problems back at base. You are the reliable home-base anchor for our Flight Test Operations Manager and a critical enabler of every campaign we run. This is a broad, execution-oriented role that requires someone who is proactive, highly organised, and comfortable switching between tasks quickly. You will not regularly be deployed to test locations. Your strength is the steady, reliable support you provide from our home base. Responsibilities Equipment & Stock Management • Maintain inventory of flight test equipment, tools, and consumables held at home base, with clear visibility of what is available, where it is, and what condition it is in. • Manage battery stock: tracking charge cycles, maintenance status, and coordinating timely shipments to active test locations. • Prepare and package equipment kits ahead of campaign deployments, following defined checklists and verifying readiness before despatch. • Monitor stock levels proactively and reorder or escalate shortfalls before they can impact an active or upcoming campaign. • Troubleshoot and resolve equipment availability issues raised by the onsite team, coordinating solutions quickly and keeping the Manager informed. Travel & Logistics • Book and manage all travel arrangements for the Flight Test team in line with campaign schedules and company policy: e.g. flights, hotels, ground transport, and rental vehicles • Maintain a clear and up-to-date picture of who is travelling where and when across all active and upcoming campaigns. • Handle last-minute changes, rebookings, and travel escalations calmly and efficiently, resolving issues before they reach the team on-site. • Track travel spend and keep accurate records in line with internal processes. Remote Support to the Onsite Team • Serve as the primary home-base contact for the travelling team: e.g. fielding requests, solving problems, and coordinating solutions at pace. • Coordinate urgent shipping of equipment or materials to test locations when needed, managing suppliers and couriers to meet tight deadlines. • Support the onboarding of team members into new campaign locations by preparing and sharing relevant local information, facility details, and access arrangements. Campaign Preparation • Assist in the logistical preparation of upcoming flight test campaigns: e.g. readiness checklists, equipment packing lists, vendor coordination, and timeline tracking. • Maintain shared planning documents and status trackers so that the Flight Test Operations Manager has a clear picture of preparedness at all times. • Flag risks or gaps in campaign readiness early, giving the team time to resolve issues before deployment. Communications & Coordination • Support internal communications between the home team and onsite crews, ensuring information flows clearly and nothing falls through the gaps. • Help draft and distribute campaign updates, logistics briefings, and equipment status reports as directed by the Flight Test Operations Manager. • Maintain contact lists, distribution lists, and shared information resources for the Flight Test team. Your First 12 Months Timeframe Focus What This Looks Like Month 0–1 Onboard & Orient Complete STARK safety induction and team onboarding. Learn the equipment inventory, understand the campaign calendar, and get familiar with travel booking systems and supplier contacts. Shadow the Flight Test Operations Manager to understand how campaigns are prepared and what the team needs from home base. Month 1–3 Own the Basics Take full ownership of travel bookings and equipment stock management for active campaigns. Begin building your own processes and checklists. Handle your first urgent requests from the onsite team and resolve them independently. Establish yourself as a reliable and responsive home-base contact. Month 3–6 Raise the Bar Proactively identify gaps in campaign preparation and propose improvements. Formalise stock management processes and reduce reactive scrambles. Support logistics planning for multiple campaigns running in parallel or quick succession. Month 6–12 Drive Continuous Improvement Own the home-base function end-to-end with minimal supervision. Contribute to the improvement of campaign preparation templates and logistics playbooks. Become the institutional memory for equipment, suppliers, and travel arrangements across the team. Qualifications Required • 2–4 years of experience in an operations coordinator, logistics, or administrative support role, ideally in a technical, aviation, or fast-moving operational environment. • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and priorities under time pressure without dropping the ball. • Experience booking and managing business travel arrangements, including handling last-minute changes. • Organised and process-driven: you keep accurate records, maintain clear trackers, and build checklists that others can rely on. • Excellent communication skills in English (business-fluent required). German is a strong advantage for supplier and vendor interactions. Preferred • Experience working in a support or coordination role within aerospace, defence, UAS operations, or a similarly regulated technical environment. • Familiarity with inventory or equipment management, including tracking consumables and coordinating shipments. • Experience supporting field teams or deployed personnel from a home-base or operational hub. Mindset • Reliable Under Pressure: When the team is on the range and something goes wrong at home base, they need to know you will sort it. • Proactively Organised: You do not wait to be asked. You spot what is coming and have it ready before anyone notices it was needed. • Clear Communicator: You give the team exactly the information they need, when they need it, without noise or ambiguity. • Service-Oriented: You understand that your job is to make the field team's job easier. Their success is your success.