Mechanical Design engineer

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. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe. Your mission As a Mechanical Design Engineer at STARK, you will be the architectural force behind the physical hardware that carries our cognitive core into the field. You will lead the design and development of complex components and assemblies, translating ambitious technical concepts into operational products that can withstand the rigors of contested environments. You will work hand-in-hand with our systems, stress, and electrical engineering teams, pairing rigorous mechanical design with rapid hardware iteration. You will be responsible for navigating fast-paced engineering projects with tight deadlines, ensuring that every bracket, housing, and structural element is optimized for performance and mass-scalability. This role is about ownership and leadership: taking a product from an initial whiteboard concept to a final, production-ready state. You will not just be making drawings; you will be defining the physical standards of the next generation of autonomous defence technology. Responsibilities • CAD Development: Create and maintain high-fidelity models, assemblies, and detailed technical drawings using CATIA V5/V6 within the 3DEXPERIENCE environment. • Standards & Precision: Define and enforce best practices for parametric modeling, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), and complex tolerance stack-ups to ensure assembly reliability. • Validation: Collaborate closely with stress engineers for load path validation and participate in critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR) to ensure mission success. Manufacturing & Process Integration • Material Selection: Drive decisive material and process selection, focusing on structural layout and manufacturability to meet aggressive weight and strength targets. • DFM/DfAM: Apply expert knowledge of Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), injection molding, CNC machining, and sheet metal fabrication to streamline the transition from prototype to series production. • Tooling & Testing: Design and develop critical operating equipment and specialized test benches required to validate subsystems and accelerate program velocity. • Cross-Functional Coordination & Supply Chain • Interdisciplinary Alignment: Collaborate with Electrical Engineering, Production, and Procurement to translate abstract product requirements into measurable quality objectives and repeatable manufacturing processes. • Supplier Engagement: Oversee technical engagement with external suppliers for structural components and secondary assemblies, ensuring design intent is maintained through delivery. • Execution: Identify blockers in the design-to-production pipeline and proactively push issues to resolution to maintain program momentum. Qualifications • Experience: 2+ years of experience as a CAD Engineer or Mechanical Design Engineer with a proven focus on manufacturing processes and complex assemblies. • Background: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a comparable technical field. High proficiency in CATIA V5 (Part Design, Assembly Design, Generative Shape Design). • Mindset: Mission-driven, decisive, and pragmatic. Thrives in ambiguity. You act like an owner and would rather build and iterate than wait for permission. • Communication: High proficiency (C1/C2) in both English and German, capable of communicating complex technical context to both local technicians and international leadership. • Security: Must be a citizen of a NATO member state (due to export control and security regulations).