Associate IT Systems Administrator (all genders)

Job Description

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. About the team Minerva is STARK's command and control software — the brain that connects operators to autonomous systems across multiple domains in real time. The Minerva team is a small, senior software group based in Berlin and Munich, working directly with our systems and hardware teams to build mission-critical C2 capabilities deployed in active operational environments. We move fast, ship real software, and operate under constraints most engineers never encounter — low-bandwidth networks, air-gapped devices, high-stakes decision loops. There is no room for abstraction for its own sake. Everything we build ends up in the hands of real operators in the field . Your mission Support the development, integration, testing, and continuous improvement of IT-based hardware systems for drone Ground Control Stations and related operational setups. You will work hands-on with ruggedized computers, tablets, networking equipment, routers, radios, power systems, peripheral devices, cabling, and Linux-based system environments to create reliable and field-ready GCS solutions. A key part of the role is the practical integration of IT hardware into different GCS variants, including mobile ground stations, vehicle-based installations, handheld versions, boat-based setups, and other mission-specific configurations. You will help ensure that all components interact reliably, are properly configured, well documented, maintainable, and ready for testing, production, and operational deployment. This role is strongly hands-on and combines IT system understanding, hardware integration, workshop readiness, and practical problem-solving in fast-moving development and test environments. Responsibilities IT Hardware Integration: Integrate ruggedized laptops, tablets, routers, switches, radios, power components, displays, controllers, peripheral devices, and other IT hardware into complete Ground Control Station setups. · GCS Variant Development: Support the development and optimization of different GCS variants, including mobile cases, vehicle-mounted systems, handheld solutions, boat-based setups, and other operational configurations. · System Configuration: Configure and maintain Linux-based systems, network devices, routers, connected hardware, and peripheral components to ensure stable and repeatable system behavior. · Network & Interface Integration: Support the integration of IP-based networks, device interfaces, local system connections, authentication concepts, and communication paths between GCS components. · Hardware Interaction: Ensure reliable and efficient interaction between IT systems, radios, networking equipment, power components, sensors, controllers, and operational software tools. · Cabling & Build Quality: Design, implement, and maintain clean, robust, serviceable, and field-ready cable management and physical integration concepts for mobile and ruggedized deployments. · Power & Energy Concepts: Support the integration of battery-based power systems, charging concepts, fallback power supply solutions, power distribution, and energy management for different GCS variants. · Testing & Troubleshooting: Conduct hands-on testing, debugging, and optimization of integrated hardware and IT setups in workshops, labs, vehicles, boats, and outdoor test environments. · Production & Supply Chain Support: Support production readiness by defining repeatable build setups, hardware dependencies, configuration baselines, parts requirements, and clear handover documentation. · Documentation: Document system setups, hardware configurations, network settings, dependencies, test results, build instructions, and lessons learned in a clear, structured, and maintainable way. Qualifications · Experience: Around 3 years of professional experience in IT systems integration, hardware integration, systems engineering, field engineering, technical operations, or a related hands-on technical role. Stronger junior or mid-level candidates can also be considered if they bring the right practical profile. · IT Systems Understanding: Good practical understanding of computers, operating systems, network devices, routers, interfaces, peripheral hardware, and system configuration in technical environments. · Linux & Networking: Experience working with Linux-based systems and basic networking concepts such as IP addressing, routing, switching, VLANs, device configuration,