Head of Software Architecture (All Genders)

Description

The company builds autonomous defence platforms and AI-driven software for NATO Allies and their partners, designed for demanding operating environments.

Minerva is the company's command-and-control software, linking operators to autonomous platforms across several domains in real time.

The software team is a small, senior group in Berlin and Munich that works closely with hardware, autonomy and systems engineering on mission-critical C2 capabilities used in active operations.

The team works under tight conditions: low-bandwidth networks, air-gapped devices and decisions that must be made under pressure. Everything it builds reaches operators in the field.

This is a leadership role at the meeting point of hardware, software and human factors. Architects already lead separate workstreams across C2, Perception and Autonomy. You will bring them under one delivery-focused engineering strategy that produces concrete artifacts, architecture diagrams and working software components, and you will set architectural direction across the software ecosystem and keep domains coherent.

Responsibilities

• Act as the software-side systems engineer: define the V-Model process, lead requirements engineering and direct V&V planning.
• Guide stakeholders toward shared architecture adopted across the product portfolio.
• Resolve conflicts between hardware and software by weighing expert input and building agreement across C2, Perception, Autonomy and Embedded.
• Shape communication paths and collaboration patterns so that the architecture drives the organisation's structure (Conway's Law).
• Champion MISRA-based modern C++ safety guidelines and coach teams in building reliable, safety-critical systems.
• Define and govern software interfaces across the stack to keep the architecture sound and interoperable.
• Make sure changes to autopilot firmware, mission planning and perception stacks never break operational workflows.
• Lead V-Model enforcement, V&V and QA (ISTQB) processes, own technical compliance with IEC 61508, ISO 27001, AQAP, DeumilSAA, Cyber Sec Essentials, STANAGs and DEFSTAN, and manage all related audit documentation.
• Run design reviews that empower teams, guide scaling refactors and manage technical debt.
• Mentor senior engineers and architects as they grow into cross-domain leaders.
• Build a culture that values clarity, safety and mission-driven engineering.
• Lead the Software Architecture community of practice and directly manage a dedicated V&V and QA team.
• Earn the trust of experts in mission planning, autonomy, perception, embedded and systems engineering.
• Understand how data travels from onboard sensors over constrained MAVLink/Silvus radio links to ground-station C++ systems.
• Reinforce C++ as the core language, with a focus on safety and standardisation.
• Judge how software choices affect hardware endurance, performance and cost (SWaP-C).

Requirements

• 10+ years in Principal, Staff+ or equivalent architecture roles.
• Proven record of leading architecture across several engineering teams.
• Background in aerospace, defence, robotics or complex hardware/software systems.
• Ability to influence without formal authority and to communicate across technical disciplines.
• Ability to break complex, cross-domain problems into coherent solutions.
• Strong spoken and written English.
• You must be eligible to obtain the appropriate security clearance.

Conditions

Candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the role, given the defence work. Details follow during recruitment.

To apply, send your CV in English.

Benefits

• Your software and systems work protects personnel and supports European and national sovereignty.
• You will work with leading specialists in autonomous systems, advanced propulsion and secure cyber platforms.
• The company runs a fast-moving, collaborative setup where bold ideas get backed by substantial R&D funding.