Simulation Engineer - Maritime (all genders) på STARK i Swindon
STARK · Swindon
Simulation Engineer - Maritime (all genders)
ABOUT US
STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains.
We design, develop,...
ABOUT US
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.
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 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.
YOUR MISSION
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.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology•ålesund
This is NTNU
NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.
At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.
You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.
Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0About the position
We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellow research position in steam turbines for ships. The work will be embedded in the SFI - SAINT project Sustainable, Applied and Industrialized Nuclear Technology, which supports the launch of 2-3 nuclear powered demonstration ships in the early 2030s. Within the SAINT project, you will work in Work Package 3 – From heat to propulsion.
The shipping industry accounts for roughly 3% of global CO₂ emissions, and with international pressure to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, nuclear propulsion is emerging as a serious candidate for deep-sea and high-utilization vessels where battery or hydrogen solutions face fundamental range and energy density constraints.
Steam turbines are already in use in commercial ships today, based on fossil fuels. This research project will investigate how to integrate steam turbines, thermal and electrical energy storages, and a nuclear reactor in an energy efficient and operational reliable energy system for various ship types. As a Post Doc (PD), you will work closely with other members of the project, both industry partners, PhD candidates and other researchers in the project on a daily basis. You will also be a part of the PD/PhD community at our institute, counting around 40 candidates at present, who work on other projects but on topics related to yours.
Your work will be to investigate the present applications of steam turbines in shipping, identify critical criteria for integration and operation, and develop a model for simulation of the energy system. This includes normal operations, ramping, transit vs. port stay, and maintenance requirements. The aim of the work is to use this tool to size the reactor (output heat), steam turbine, energy storages, and other components of the propulsion system for three specified use cases: a tanker, an offshore vessel, and a floating nuclear power plant.
Are you ready to take your research career to the next level? We offer an exciting 3-year postdoctoral position that gives you the opportunity to develop a strong profile as researcher. You will also gain valuable experience that might be relevant for your further career.
The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career.
Apply for this position to become part of our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
About the project
Naval vessels and polar icebreakers have operated on nuclear power for decades. Nuclear propulsion is emerging as a serious candidate for decarbonization of deep-sea and high-utilization vessels in Norway and internationally, offering greater energy independence, higher sustained speeds, and extended range compared to conventional fuel-based propulsion. International bodies are actively establishing the frameworks that will govern the civil use of nuclear propulsion and the foundational engineering knowledge is being established right now.
SAINT - Sustainable, Applied and Industrialized Nuclear Technology - is a research project investigating the use of nuclear propulsion for commercial and specialist maritime vessels and aims at launching 2-3 demonstration ships in the early 2030s. SAINT addresses the technical, safety, and operational challenges that must be resolved before such systems can be responsibly deployed. PhD and Post Doc candidates will be among the people shaping this emergent field. In the intersection of nuclear and maritime engineering qualified engineers and researchers are scarce globally. Candidates who complete a PhD within the SAINT project will be well positioned for careers in nuclear safety, maritime regulation, advanced vessel design, and the emerging commercial nuclear sector.
The project is hosted at the Department of Ocean Operations and Civil Engineering (IHB) at NTNU in Ålesund, a campus with deep roots in maritime engineering and ship design. Around 70 PhD students are at NTNU in Ålesund, roughly 40 of which are in IHB working on ship design, naval control systems and in shipping management. Within the project we are aiming to recruit up to ten PhD students and one or two Post Docs to work in parallel across the core engineering challenges of maritime nuclear propulsion, creating an unusually dense and collaborative internal research environment in which you will collaborate with researchers working across nuclear engineering, naval architecture, electrical power systems, and maritime operations.
The project is carried out in close collaboration with thirty industry partners spanning shipbuilders, reactor vendors, turbine manufacturers, control system developers, classification societies, and maritime operators. A dedicated test center for non-nuclear testing of reactor and turbine systems is under construction, giving SAINT researchers hands-on access to hardware validation at a scale rarely available in academic maritime research.
Duties of the position
• Carry out research of outstanding quality
• Academic publications and popular science dissemination
• Participate in the research group of SFI SAINT
• Apply for research funding and write applications and report on progress to funding sources
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions
• Teaching
• Mentoring students, helping them with their research projects, and advising on methodology and academic writing
Required selection criteria
• You must have completed a doctoral degree in engineering or other relevant areas
• If you are in the final phase of your doctorate and can document that the thesis has been submitted or that the defense date has been confirmed, your application can be considered even if you have not defended. NOTE: Documentation of the obtained doctorate must be presented before you can take up the position.
• Good oral and written presentation skills in English equivalent level B2/C1
PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.
If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as associate professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
• Background in physics, control engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field
• Project management experience
• Publishing experience
• Teaching experience
• Good written and oral Norwegian or Scandinavian language skills
Personal characteristics
Working as a Postdoctoral fellow requires that you:
• Work independently
• Work structured, set goals and make plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals
• Engage and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or in the face of adversity
• Show curiosity and a strong motivation for the subject
• Analyze data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions
• Are flexible and open to adjusting the plan for the project as needed
• Have good collaboration skills
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
We offer
• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
Salary and conditions
As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The period of employment is 3 years
As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed
About the application
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
The application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.
The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
The application must include:
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, you can attach a draft of the thesis.
• Research plan
• Academic works - published or unpublished (up to 3 items)
• Possible recommendation letters
• Name and contact information of three referees
PLEASE NOTE: The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Please note that the person hired will work with critical infrastructure and areas affected by controls on the export of strategic goods, services and technology.
Candidates who do not meet the requirements for the necessary security clearance, access clearance and authorization as described in the National Security Act, and the Act on the Implementation of International Sanctions (Sanctions Act) cannot be considered (e.g., candidates from, among others, Russia, Iran, North Korea, China). Relevant countries are listed as examples and as such the list is not exhaustive (as a result of any changes in the world situation, other countries may be added at short notice).
If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ann Rigmor Nerheim, phone: +47 99 38 54 89, email: ann.r.nerheim@ntnu.no
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact PhD Coordinator Lara Bromann, email: lara.bromann@ntnu.no
If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.
Application deadline: 20.08.2026
For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
Ålesund, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top-notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology•ålesund
This is NTNU
NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.
At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.
You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.
Video: https://youtu.be/Xt-yHCN5QS0A PhD Position in Close Collaboration with the Maritime Industry
A ship is designed once, but it is lived with for decades. Moreover, a ship design company rarely works with just one ship. It works with an idea of a ship, designs that get evolved, customised, and built each time differently. At any moment, different instances of that idea exist side by side: some still on the drawing board, some under construction, others already operating and sending back streams of sensor data from daily operation. The knowledge that connects these instances, and that connects design, construction, and operation more broadly, rarely lives in one coherent place. It is scattered across documents, tools, and people, out of reach of the AI methods that could otherwise make efficient use of it.
This PhD position aims to investigate how such knowledge could be represented so it holds together across many instances and lifecycle phases of a ship, and becomes something AI methods, not only engineers, can work with directly. This includes examining how components, systems, and the dependencies between them might be captured in a shared structure, and comparing candidate approaches, such as ontologies, knowledge graphs, graph databases, or multi taxonomy databases, and the AI techniques needed to build and query them, to see where each fits, where each falls short, and whether a hybrid solution serves better.
A good representation should not only describe a vessel as it is, but support AI-assisted inference: surfacing what else is affected by a change, what may be missing from an incomplete design, or what the likely consequences are elsewhere in the vessel. Whether such a representation should fit existing practices and tools, or justify changing them, is itself an open question, to be weighed against the time and value it can bring to the industry.
Part of the motivation is that design and operational data, gathered across many vessels and many projects, could form one coherent body of knowledge that AI methods can search and learn from, helping surface relevant precedent and consequences for new designs rather than starting each one from scattered documents and individual experience. Turning that possibility into something concrete is part of the candidate's task, who will narrow this broad research space toward specific applications and evaluate them against real design tasks.
The work is carried out in close, ongoing cooperation with the local maritime industry, grounded in real vessels, real data, and real engineering problems. Candidates should be available and able to obtain any necessary clearance to work directly and regularly with the project's industrial partners.
In short, this PhD position aims to investigate:
• How one design, one idea of a ship, exists as many instances at once: on paper, under construction, or already at sea
• Why the knowledge connecting design, construction, and operation stays scattered across documents and tools, out of reach of AI
• How components, systems, and their dependencies could be represented in a way that works across all of these instances, and support AI-assisted inference about missing information or the consequences of change
• Whether ontologies, knowledge graphs, graph databases, multi taxonomy databases, or hybrid approaches, together with the AI methods to build and query them, are the right fit, and where each may fall short
• How AI could help turn design and operational data from many vessels into a coherent body of knowledge that informs new designs
• Whether such a representation should fit existing industry practice, or justify changing it, weighed against the value it brings
Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.
Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.
About the project
The PhD project will be part of the Norwegian Maritime AI Center that aims to accelerate operationalization of AI in the maritime value chains. The center shall position the maritime sector for accelerated and successful use of AI. The demand for safe and sustainable maritime activities, as well as the shortage of crew and engineers, are key drivers for change in the maritime sector. At the same time, there is a pull for growth, increased efficiency and profitability, while managing volatility in the markets. Moreover, the sector is critically important for global supply chains and security in a tense geopolitical situation. To demonstrate and prototype maritime AI solutions, the center will address a diverse and impactful set of use cases: Logistics, shipping and business transactions; Ship design and construction; Voyage planning and optimization; Condition monitoring and maintenance; Crew training; Maritime traffic and ship surveillance; Decarbonization and energy management; Autonomous ships and remote control.
The research partners are the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, (NTNU), University of Oslo, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, Norwegian Mapping Authority, MET and SINTEF Nordvest. There are about 30 user partners from the maritime sector, in addition to hundreds of members of the Maritime Forum, Blue Maritime, Ocean Autonomy, and Maritime CleanTech clusters. The center will be a hub, orchestrating the interfaces with research partners and user partners to facilitate collaboration, knowledge creation, dissemination, innovation, and sharing of knowledge. The Norwegian Maritime AI Center is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the partners for the period 2026-2030. There will be approximately 25 doctoral scholarships and some postdoc positions. More information can be found here: https://www.ntnu.edu/mai
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
Duties of the position
• Take part in the mandatory PhD research education program obtaining a doctorate
• Develop research and AI applied to the Maritime Domain, with strong cooperation with the industrial partners
• Collaborate effectively within the research team, remaining open to constructive feedback throughout the research process
• Carry out research of good quality within the framework described above
• Participate actively in discussion with the industrial partners
• Participate in activities in the Maritime AI center
• Participate in relevant dissemination activities for the academia and industry
• Conduct independent research and publish the result in recognized scientific journals and present them at international conferences
Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.
Required selection criteria
• You must have a relevant Master's degree in Engineering, Naval Architecture, Computer Science or equivalent. Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you maybe considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education.
• Affinity with programming, AI-related tools and a desire to work with the development of applied computational tools
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the faculty's Doctoral Programme in Engineering
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English
PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.
Preferred selection criteria
• Practical experience from industry, applied research, or experimental projects related to the maritime industry and technology
• Previous experience with AI projects related to research or the industry
• Interest in innovation, technology development, and applied research
• Experience with simulation environments, digital twins, or real-time systems
Personal characteristics
To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:
• Balance between work independently on long-term projects while collaborating with the research group
• Show good communication skills and open to discussion
• Work in close contact with the maritime industry
• Collaborative skills, including the ability to negotiate and find agreements within a team
• Present and discuss your research with other professionals and travel to international partners
• Show openness to feedback and external input, while still taking ownership of research direction
• Be flexible in navigating the uncertainty and ambiguity inherent to a research project
Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.
We offer
• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.
Diversity
Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.
We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.
If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.
At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. (delete if not applicable)
Salary and conditions
In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.
The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work.
For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.
As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.
For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.
The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.
About the application
The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.
Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.
The application must include:
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of three relevant referees
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.
Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).
General information
A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.
If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Henrique M. Gaspar, henrique.gaspar@ntnu.no.
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Lara Bromann, lara.bromann@ntnu.no.
Application deadline: 23.08.2026
-----------------
For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.
Ålesund, known for its unique Art Nouveau architecture and spectacular nature, is a gem on Norway's west coast. The city offers a vibrant cultural life, modern facilities, and a dynamic business environment. With its strategic location by the sea, Ålesund provides a perfect balance between urban living and natural experiences. Here, you will find excellent schools, top-notch healthcare services, and a wide range of recreational activities. Ålesund is an ideal place for both career and family life, with a safe and inclusive community.
Mirai is building the first AI‑driven autonomy platform for vessels under 100 ft, combining advanced robotics, sensor fusion, and
onboard intelligence to make every boat autonomous, safer, and dramatically easier to operate. Beyond enabling crewed vessels,
Mirai also develops next‑generation Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) — uncrewed platforms designed for exploration, utility
missions, and operational support — all powered by the same Operating System and multi‑layer autonomy framework.
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated rapid integration and test robotic engineer to join our team. In this role, you will
be responsible for integrating hardware and software systems onto unmanned vehicles, and working closely with cross-functional
teams to rapidly prototype, validate and iterate on end‑to‑end autonomy solutions — transforming early concepts into reliable,
field‑ready robotic systems.
You will work at the intersection of robotics, AI software, hardware integration and field testing, contributing to the
development and integration of Mirai’s autonomy stack across prototype platforms. We are looking for the kind of nerd who
genuinely loves building robots!
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Robotics & Autonomy Development
* Contribute to perception, planning and control modules using ROS2, Isaac ROS, PyTorch and NVIDIA simulation tools.
* Help design, implement and test reinforcement-learning models and autonomy behaviours in simulation and real platforms.
Hardware & Systems Integration
* Lead the design, construction, and testing of UAS prototypes, efficiently transforming concepts into functional early-stage
products.
* Integrate hardware components onto unmanned vehicles, including sensors, actuators, and control systems.
* Integrate electronic components and ensure seamless communication between hardware and software systems.
* Integrate and validate multi-sensor stacks (LiDAR, radar, vision, GNSS, IMU).
* Assemble and bring-up hardware prototypes, including compute units, power systems, actuators and electronic components.
* Support development of Mirai’s sensor-fusion hardware platform.
Prototyping & Field Testing
* Lead/support rapid prototyping for autonomous vessel configurations.
* Conduct feasibility studies, simulations, and performance evaluations to optimize hardware designs.
* Develop and execute test plans to validate hardware functionality and reliability.
* Identify and troubleshoot hardware issues, implementing effective solutions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Work with mechanical, systems and software teams to align design, simulation and field results.
* Contribute to documentation and integration processes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Being a nerd who actually wants to build robots — someone who loves to tinker, solder, tune, prototype, break things, fix them
again, and thrive in the delightful mess of real hardware.
* Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
* EU passport (or unrestricted right to work in Italy) and availability to work primarily on-site in Puglia (Bari area), with
regular presence in lab, workshop and dock environments.
* Hands-on skills with robotics hardware, sensor integration and embedded systems.
* Knowledge of software development practices and programming languages pertinent to autonomy and robotics (e.g., Python, C++,
ROS).
* Experience with ROS2, PX4/ArduPilot or similar autopilot stacks.
* Experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, mechanical assembly, electronics bring-up).
* Ability to diagnose integration problems.
* Comfort with field testing and on-water prototyping.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Experience with UAV/UAS integration or multi-sensor robotic systems.
* Familiarity with Pixhawk, vehicle control systems or maritime autonomy.
* Exposure to NVIDIA Jetson, Isaac Sim, RL or perception pipelines.
* Knowledge of control theory or real-time robotics.
* Experience operating drones, small vessels or unmanned systems.
WHAT WE OFFER
* Work on the most advanced autonomous maritime platform in Europe.
* Direct involvement with edge AI and real-world autonomy.
* Fast engineering culture from simulation to sea trials.
* On-site role in Puglia (Bari area), working hands-on in lab, workshop and dock environments (with limited flexibility for
hybrid work once established in the role).
* Shape the future of maritime autonomy.
JOIN US
If you want to build robots that operate in the wild, Mirai is the place to grow.
