About the role
<div class="content-intro"><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting-edge, AI-driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next-generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI-driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.</span><br><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">WHY JOIN US</span></strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.</span></li>
</ul></div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>ABOUT THE TEAM</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our Business Development team is responsible for expanding Stark's market footprint and driving commercial growth across key defence and governmental sectors. We bridge advanced engineering capabilities with strategic market demands, working closely with government stakeholders, military leadership, and key industry partners. As part of this team, you will drive high-impact initiatives and scale our AI-driven software offerings in complex, mission-critical environments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>YOUR MISSION</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As Director Business Development for Minerva software, you will lead our strategic expansion, driving market penetration and building long-term partnerships with defence and government customers. You will oversee end-to-end capture management, shape complex value propositions, and accelerate adoption of our autonomous AI platforms across strategic operational domains.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>WHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Define and execute the business development strategy for the Minerva software platform across target markets.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Identify, engage, and nurture strategic relationships with government procurement officers, defence entities, and industry partners.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lead end-to-end capture processes, bid strategies, and contract negotiations for high-value government programs.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to align customer needs with product roadmaps.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Represent Stark at key industry events, defence expos, and high-level stakeholder briefings.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Monitor market developments, competitive dynamics, and regulatory trends across the European defence landscape.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>WHAT YOU BRING TO THE MISSION</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Proven track record in business development, strategic sales, or capture management within the defence, government, or deep-tech software sectors.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Deep understanding of public procurement frameworks, government contracting, and complex software solutions sales cycles.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Strong network of contacts across defence ministries, military organizations, or prime contractors in Europe.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills in English.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ability to translate technical product features (AI, command and control software) into compelling business value propositions.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>NICE TO HAVE</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Prior military background, defence sector consultancy, or operational experience with autonomous systems.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fluency in German or additional European languages.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Experience working in fast-paced startup or scale-up environments.</span></li>
</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you're interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your <strong>CV in English</strong>. We're looking forward to meeting you!</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>SECURITY CLEARANCE</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>DATA PRIVACY STATEMENT</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This data privacy statement, which refers exclusively to data collected as part of the online application process, is to inform you about how your personal data that is collected as part of the online application process is handled at our end.</span></p>
<p><strong>The controller</strong></p>
<p>The controller under data protection law is:</p>
<p>SKD SE</p>
<p><strong>Französische Strasse 12, 10117 Berlin</strong></p>
<p>Commercial register entry number: <strong>HRB 260878</strong></p>
<p>Registration Court: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg</p>
<p><strong>Data Protection officer:</strong> heyData GmbH, Schützenstraße 5, 10117 Berlin,<a href="http://www.heydata.eu"> www.heydata.eu</a>, -----
<p><em><strong>Personal data collected as part of the application process</strong></em></p>
<p>Personal data means any information concerning the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable individual. This includes information such as, for example, your name, address, telephone number and date
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI-native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field-tested, multi-domain solutions.</span><br><br></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">WHY JOIN US</span></strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You will work alongside industry-leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We foster a fast-paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.</span></li>
</ul></div><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>ABOUT THE TEAM</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our Business Development team is responsible for expanding Stark's market footprint and driving commercial growth across key defence and governmental sectors. We bridge advanced engineering capabilities with strategic market demands, working closely with government stakeholders, military leadership, and key industry partners. As part of this team, you will drive high-impact initiatives and scale our AI-driven software offerings in complex, mission-critical environments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>YOUR MISSION</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As Director Business Development for Minerva software, you will lead our strategic expansion, driving market penetration and building long-term partnerships with defence and government customers. You will oversee end-to-end capture management, shape complex value propositions, and accelerate adoption of our autonomous AI platforms across strategic operational domains.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>WHAT YOU WILL DO AT STARK</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Define and execute the business development strategy for the Minerva software platform across target markets.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Identify, engage, and nurture strategic relationships with government procurement officers, defence entities, and industry partners.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lead end-to-end capture processes, bid strategies, and contract negotiations for high-value government programs.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Collaborate closely with Product Management and Engineering teams to align customer needs with product roadmaps.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Represent Stark at key industry events, defence expos, and high-level stakeholder briefings.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Monitor market developments, competitive dynamics, and regulatory trends across the European defence landscape.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>WHAT YOU BRING TO THE MISSION</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Proven track record in business development, strategic sales, or capture management within the defence, government, or deep-tech software sectors.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Deep understanding of public procurement frameworks, government contracting, and complex software solutions sales cycles.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Strong network of contacts across defence ministries, military organizations, or prime contractors in Europe.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills in English.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ability to translate technical product features (AI, command and control software) into compelling business value propositions.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>NICE TO HAVE</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Prior military background, defence sector consultancy, or operational experience with autonomous systems.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fluency in German or additional European languages.</span></li>
<li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Experience working in fast-paced startup or scale-up environments.</span></li>
</ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If you're interested in building the future of European Defence with us, and you see yourself reflected on the description above, please send us your <strong>CV in English</strong>. We're looking forward to meeting you!</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>SECURITY CLEARANCE</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>DATA PRIVACY STATEMENT</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This data privacy statement, which refers exclusively to data collected as part of the online application process, is to inform you about how your personal data that is collected as part of the online application process is handled at our end.</span></p>
<p><strong>The controller</strong></p>
<p>The controller under data protection law is:</p>
<p>SKD SE</p>
<p><strong>Französische Strasse 12, 10117 Berlin</strong></p>
<p>Commercial register entry number: <strong>HRB 260878</strong></p>
<p>Registration Court: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg</p>
<p><strong>Data Protection officer:</strong> heyData GmbH, Schützenstraße 5, 10117 Berlin,<a href="http://www.heydata.eu"> www.heydata.eu</a>, -----
<p><em><strong>Personal data collected as part of the application process</strong></em></p>
<p>Personal data means any information concerning the personal or material circumstances of an identified or identifiable individual. This includes information such as, for example, your name, address, telephone number and date
Requirements
- Engineering
