RF Antenna Expert (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, selection, integration, testing, and continuous improvement of antenna solutions for STARK’s unmanned systems, Ground Control Stations, and field-ready communication setups. You will work hands-on with antennas, radios, masts, vehicles, boats, handheld configurations, test equipment, and operational GCS environments to ensure reliable RF performance across different mission profiles. A key part of the role is to identify suitable antenna concepts, build or adapt prototypes, conduct RF measurements and field tests, and translate findings into robust and repeatable antenna setups for deployment. This role is strongly practical and includes regular work in workshops, laboratories, outdoor test ranges, and real integration environments. Responsibilities Antenna Selection & Design: Identify, evaluate, design, and adapt antenna solutions for drone platforms, Ground Control Stations, vehicle-based systems, handheld setups, boat-based configurations, and other mission-specific applications. · RF Integration: Integrate antennas with radios, GCS hardware, networking equipment, masts, mounts, cables, connectors, and power systems to ensure stable and field-ready communication performance. · Prototype Development: Build, modify, and iterate antenna prototypes, mounting concepts, cable routes, adapters, brackets, and practical integration solutions for different platforms and operational constraints. · Measurement & Testing: Plan and conduct RF measurements, lab tests, range tests, and field trials to validate antenna performance, link quality, radiation behavior, installation effects, and operational suitability. · Link Performance Optimization: Support the optimization of communication links by analyzing antenna gain, polarization, placement, cable losses, interference effects, line-of-sight constraints, and platform-specific installation impacts. · Platform & GCS Adaptation: Support antenna integration for mobile GCS variants, vehicles, boats, handheld systems, portable masts, drone platforms, and other field configurations. · Troubleshooting: Investigate RF performance issues, communication losses, degraded link behavior, installation problems, and integration conflicts together with radio, data link, GCS, and flight test teams. · Documentation: Document antenna setups, measurement results, test configurations, installation constraints, cable dependencies, lessons learned, and recommended configurations in a clear and maintainable way. · Production & Operational Readiness: Support repeatable antenna setups for production, supply chain, customer handover, and operational deployment. Qualifications Around 5 years of professional experience in RF engineering, antenna engineering, communications engineering, field testing, hardware integration, or a related technical environment. · Antenna Expertise: Strong practical understanding of antenna types, antenna characteristics, gain, polarization, radiation patterns, impedance matching, cable losses, placement effects, and RF installation constraints. · RF Measurement Skills: Experience using RF measurement and test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, VNAs, power meters, signal generators, test radios, field measurement tools, or comparable equipment. · Hands-On Mentality: Strong practical mindset with the ability to build, adapt, install, test, and troubleshoot antenna setups directly on hardware, in workshops, on vehicles, on boats, or in field-testing environments. · Communication Systems Understanding: Good understanding of radio communication links, link budgets, frequency bands, interference, line-of-sight behavior, data link performance, and operational RF constraints. · Integration Mindset: Ability to work across antennas, radios, mechanical mounts, cabling, GCS hardware, unmanned platforms, and operational requirements to create robust system-level solutions. · Adaptability: High level of adaptability and willingness to work in a dynamic, experimental, and continuously evolving engineering environment. · Communication: Solid English skills are required. German skills for technical communication, suppliers, documentation, and test coordination are a plus. · Clearance: Ability to obtain appropriate security clearance required for the position. Nice to have Experience with military, defence, aerospace, UAV, robotics, marine, automotive, or other mission-critical communication environments. · Experience with Ground Control Stations, unmanned systems, tactical radios, MANET radios, SATCOM, or professional RF communication systems. · Experience with S-Band, C-Band, directional antennas, omni antennas, horn antennas, mast systems, mobile antenna installations, or ruggedized field setups. · Experience with antenna integration into vehicles, boats, portable masts, handheld systems, mobile cases, or drone platforms.