Director Minerva Frontline Applications

About UsSTARK 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 teamOur software program comprises several teams around R&D on both Command&Control (C2) and Autonomy functions as well as Delivery and Operations capabilities. Every unmanned system in the STARK portfolio relies on this single, rapidly evolving, reliable, and intelligent software program. Our teams are distributed across several locations in Europe and Ukraine. To drive the development of our core command and control suite, we are looking for a Director Minerva Frontline Applications. Your missionCommanding the FrontlineAs the Director Minerva Frontline Applications, you are at the helm of STARK's C2 software team. You will build and scale the central control suite for all unmanned systems in our portfolio, ensuring it remains interoperable, battle-tested, and exceptionally intuitive for operators.  Your mandate is to: Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary engineering organization comprising four core teams: Frontend Engineering, Backend Engineering, Integration Engineering, and Agentic C2. Double-lead alongside the Chief Architect. You will own the people management and the "what" (roadmap, features, and team direction), while the Architect owns the "how" (engineering execution and technical quality). Drive rapid innovation by overseeing a dedicated squad focused on pushing the edge of the possible in C2, quickly prototyping new concepts to drive new capabilities into operation through real-world impact. Unify physical and digital by ensuring Minerva Frontline seamlessly connects to all STARK physical programs, capable of commanding specific hardware features under real-world conditions. You are an energetic and highly structured leader who thrives at the intersection of rapid innovation and battle-tested reliability, possessing the drive to orchestrate a multidisciplinary software organization in a high-stakes environment where "good enough" is never the standard. The role is for someone who:  Brings infectious energy and structure, exciting the team to tackle the complex tasks ahead. Collaborates deeply to integrate a growing number of system and battlefield requirements into Minerva Frontline Applications. Communicates crisply and persuasively across all levels. Keeps teams aligned and executing flawlessly when stakes are at their highest. Turns ambiguity into a clear, actionable direction. ResponsibilitiesOwn the "What" & People Management You are the operational and visionary leader of the team, defining what gets built and ensuring the people building it are supported and thriving. People Leadership: Act as the primary people manager for the entire Minerva Frontline Applications team, fostering an energetic, high-performance culture. Roadmap Ownership: Drive the team's dedicated development roadmap to create a battle-tested software suite that works to the highest standards under real-life conditions. Requirements Structuring: Partner closely with other program leads to structure tasks, define clear objectives, and prioritize features for the engineering squads. The Double-Lead Partnership You operate in lockstep with the Team Architect to ensure visionary goals meet flawless technical execution. Collaborative Decision-Making: Make critical roadmap and product decisions in close collaboration with the Architect, ensuring all plans are technically viable and can be seamlessly executed. Quality Assurance: Align your pro