Simulation Engineer - Maritime (all genders)

About the role

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. 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.
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 across the UK, Germany, Greece & Ukraine 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, and 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.
This role demands more than standard simulation engineering. Working in defence technology means operating close to the realities of modern conflict and building simulation environments that must reliably support development, validation, and mission preparation in demanding conditions.
As a Simulation Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain high-fidelity Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test rigs that help validate our autonomous marine vessels (USVs) and unmanned platforms before real-world sea trials. In addition, you will support our Mission Simulation team to incorporate Maritime environments into tactical mission training environments.
HiL/SiL Test Rig Development:  Architect, build, and maintain high-quality Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) test setups for validating embedded marine autopilots, autonomy software, and robotic platforms.

Physics & Vessel Modeling:  Develop and integrate physics-based models for vehicle/vessel dynamics (hydrodynamics, wave forces, thruster/propulsion mechanics, and wind effects) and sensor physics (GPS, IMU, LiDAR, Sonar, Radar, Cameras).

Autonomy Stack Integration:  Connect and coordinate simulators with ROS2-based autonomy stacks, MAVLink/MAVSDK middlewares, and edge software interfaces.

Synthetic Scenarios:  Create realistic virtual environments simulating GPS-denied navigation, degraded weather, and signal jamming to stress-test control algorithms.

Verification & Analysis:  Conduct debugging, verification, and performance analysis between simulators and live hardware interfaces, correlating simulation fidelity with actual sea-trial logs.

Documentation:  Produce structured technical documentation, design drawings, test plans, and HIL wiring/schematic reports.

Mission Simulation Support:  Support in scripting realistic training scenarios and mission simulations

Experience modeling marine vessel physics (propulsion, hydrodynamics, hull drag).

Strong programming proficiency in C/C++ and Python.

Strong experience building dynamic models in Simulink or equivalent

Solid understanding of fluid dynamics, physics, classical mechanics, rigid-body dynamics, control theory, or system dynamics.

Hands-on experience building and maintaining HIL test benches (cabling, signal conditioning, target computer setup, and instrumentation).

Experience configuring, customizing, and running Software-in-Loop and Hardware-in-Loop testing, preferably with PX4 flight/vehicle stacks.

Experience integrating simulation frameworks with ROS2-based middleware.

Strong debugging, validation, and analytical problem-solving skills.

Comfortable working in Linux-based software development environments. .

STARK  Defence UK has achieved the ERS -  The Defence Employer Recognition Bronze award  2026 Talent Contact: Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner, via talent@stark-defence.com A university degree in Control Systems, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science.

Experience with Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4), Unreal Engine or similar defense simulation suites.

Experience with NVIDIA Omniverse, Isaac Sim, Isaac Lab, or Gazebo.

Experience modeling electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), IMU, GNSS, barometer, LiDAR, radar, or camera sensors.