Visual Designer - Brand & Motion (All Genders)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Visual Designer - Brand & Motion

Company: STARK

Location: Munich, Germany

Job Type: Permanent employee

Category: Marketing & Communications / Art & Design

Date Posted: 2026-09-02

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive end-to-end visual design execution for critical technical and marketing collateral, including whitepapers, investor decks, and digital platforms.

• Conceptualize and design striking graphic livery and visual applications for physical hardware systems, bridging the gap between digital brand and tangible products.

• Develop compelling motion graphics to visually communicate complex engineering milestones and hardware capabilities, enhancing understanding and impact.

• Act as a creative generalist, adeptly managing brand identity across diverse mediums, from high-fidelity branding to fast-turnaround social assets and technical diagrams.

• Contribute to the physical manifestation of the brand by conceptualizing creative workplace experiences and impactful trade show environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within a cutting-edge defense technology company, requiring a unique blend of creative design skills and the ability to translate highly technical concepts into accessible visual narratives. The emphasis on "software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective" unmanned systems suggests a need for design that communicates innovation, precision, and strategic advantage. The "All Genders" in the title indicates a commitment to inclusivity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Execute pixel-perfect layouts and visual designs for technical whitepapers, investor decks, and various digital platforms, ensuring brand consistency and clarity.

• Design and apply striking graphic livery and visual applications directly onto physical hardware systems, enhancing product aesthetics and brand recognition.

• Conceptualize and design creative workplace experiences and high-impact trade show environments, extending the brand into the physical world.

• Produce and edit compelling motion graphics that effectively illustrate complex engineering milestones and hardware capabilities for internal and external communications.

• Serve as a versatile creative generalist, seamlessly shifting between high-fidelity branding, rapid social asset creation, and clear technical diagrams to meet diverse project needs.

• Collaborate closely with engineering, marketing, and leadership teams to ensure visual assets align with strategic objectives and technical accuracy.

• Maintain and evolve the company's visual brand guidelines across all touchpoints, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility of designing "custom hardware livery" and "trade show environments" indicates a hands-on role that extends beyond traditional graphic design, requiring an understanding of physical product integration and experiential design. The need to translate "deeply technical concepts" suggests a requirement for strong analytical thinking and the ability to simplify complex information visually.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong foundation in graphic design, visual communication, or a related field is implied. Candidates are expected to demonstrate equivalent practical knowledge through their portfolio.

Experience: 4+ years of professional experience in visual design, with a significant portion focused on brand identity, motion graphics, and digital/print collateral. Experience in deep tech, hardware, or a top-tier creative agency is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Outstanding portfolio showcasing strong capabilities in layout, typography, composition, and motion design.

• Expert proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud suite, specifically InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and After Effects.

• Advanced skills in Figma for collaborative design workflows and UI/UX elements.

• Proven ability to translate complex, highly technical concepts into striking, easy-to-understand visual narratives.

• Proactive mindset with a strong sense of ownership, thriving in a high-growth, fast-paced environment.

• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in defense technology, aerospace, or related high-tech industries.

• Familiarity with 3D modeling or rendering software.

• Understanding of industrial design principles or hardware aesthetics.

• Experience in creating immersive trade show or event experiences.

• Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 4+ years of experience, coupled with the need to translate "deeply technical concepts," suggests this role is not entry-level and requires a designer with a demonstrated history of tackling complex visual challenges. The mention of "deep tech/hardware" or "top-tier creative agency" backgrounds highlights the caliber of candidates they are seeking, emphasizing both technical understanding and high-end creative execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a breadth of work, including examples of technical whitepapers, investor decks, and digital platform designs.

• Demonstrations of motion graphics projects, highlighting animation skills, storytelling, and the ability to convey complex information dynamically.

• Case studies illustrating the design of physical hardware applications, such as custom livery or branding elements applied to products.

• Examples of conceptualizing and designing physical environments, like trade show booths or office branding, to showcase spatial and experiential design skills.

• Work samples that clearly articulate the problem, the design process, and the measurable impact or outcome of the visual solutions. Process Documentation:

• Visual documentation of the design process, from initial concept to final execution, for key projects.

• Workflow examples demonstrating how design tasks are managed, prioritized, and delivered within a fast-paced environment.

• Evidence of iterative design processes, including how feedback from technical teams and stakeholders was incorporated.

• Systems thinking evident in how brand elements are applied consistently across diverse mediums and physical/digital touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on translating technical concepts and working with physical hardware, the portfolio should not only showcase aesthetic skill but also a strategic approach to problem-solving and an understanding of how design integrates with product and business objectives. The inclusion of "investor decks" points to a need for designs that are not only visually appealing but also persuasive and informative for a business audience.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Visual Designers with 4+ years of experience in Munich, Germany, and considering the specialized nature of the defense technology sector, the estimated salary range is €60,000 - €80,000 per year. This estimate accounts for the cost of living in Munich and the required expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, and motion graphics.

Benefits:

• Permanent employment contract with a stable, high-growth company.

• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge defense technology and shape the visual identity of a revolutionary company.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and expertise.

• Potential for security clearance, enhancing career prospects in the defense sector.

• Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and impact.

• Standard German benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement in a rapidly evolving industry.

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time permanent position in Germany. While on-site work is required, the company's high-growth nature may offer some flexibility, though project deadlines and critical deliverables will necessitate dedicated focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on aggregated data from reputable job boards and salary comparison websites for Visual Designer roles in Munich, Germany, with adjustments for the specified experience level (4+ years) and the unique industry (defense technology). Benefits are inferred from standard offerings for permanent positions in Germany and the context of a growing tech company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology / Autonomous Systems. STARK operates at the intersection of advanced engineering, software development, and defense applications, focusing on revolutionizing autonomous systems deployment. This industry demands precision, reliability, and a forward-thinking approach to national security.

Company Size: STARK is a high-growth company, implying a dynamic, agile, and potentially fast-paced work environment. This size often means employees have more direct impact and broader responsibilities, fostering a culture of ownership and rapid learning.

Founded: While the founding date is not specified, the description "new kind of defence technology company" and focus on "delivering deployable, high-performance systems, not future promises" suggests a company that is past the initial startup phase and is now scaling its operations and product delivery.

Team Structure:

• The Visual Designer will likely be part of a Marketing and Communications or a dedicated Brand team.

• Collaboration will be essential with engineering teams to understand technical concepts and with business development/sales teams for investor and customer-facing materials.

• The "creative generalist" aspect suggests a flat or matrixed organizational structure where individuals contribute across various creative functions.

• Reporting is likely to a Head of Marketing, Brand Director, or a similar leadership role overseeing external communications. Methodology:

• Data-driven design decisions, informed by market trends, investor expectations, and technical specifications.

• Agile development principles applied to creative projects, allowing for rapid iteration and adaptation.

• Emphasis on clear, concise visual communication to demystify complex technology for diverse audiences.

• A culture of innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging new approaches to visual storytelling and brand expression.

Company Website: starkfuture.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The "defence sector" context is critical. It implies a need for professionalism, discretion, and an understanding of security protocols. The company's focus on "deterring aggression and defending Europe today" highlights a mission-driven culture where the work has significant real-world implications.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an intermediate-level position, suitable for a Visual Designer with 4+ years of experience. It offers a significant opportunity to own and shape the brand's visual identity within a growing, innovative company. The "creative generalist" aspect means growth can occur through deepening expertise in specific areas (e.g., motion graphics, hardware branding) or expanding into broader brand strategy.

Reporting Structure: The Visual Designer will likely report to a Marketing Lead, Brand Manager, or Head of Communications. This structure provides guidance and strategic direction while allowing for creative autonomy. Collaboration will be cross-functional, involving engineering, product, and business development teams.

Operations Impact: The Visual Designer's work will have a direct impact on STARK's ability to attract investors, engage customers, and build brand recognition in a competitive and technically complex market. High-impact visuals are crucial for communicating the company's value proposition, technological advancements, and strategic vision. This role directly supports Go-To-Market (GTM) strategies by creating compelling collateral.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in motion graphics, interactive design, or hardware visual integration.

• Leadership: Transition into a Senior Visual Designer or Art Director role as the company scales, potentially managing junior designers or leading creative projects.

• Broader Scope: Expand into UX/UI design for digital platforms or contribute more significantly to overall brand strategy and campaign development.

• Industry Expertise: Develop specialized knowledge in defense technology branding, which can be a niche and valuable career path.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on "revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed" and "bolstering the technological edge" indicates that growth opportunities will be tied to the company's success and innovation in these areas. Career progression will likely involve taking on more complex projects with higher strategic importance.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Munich. This suggests a traditional office environment where in-person collaboration, team cohesion, and access to physical resources (like hardware for livery design) are prioritized.

Office Location(s): Munich, Germany. This vibrant city offers a strong talent pool and a robust technological ecosystem. Specific details about office accessibility or amenities would be provided during the recruitment process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be collaborative, encouraging interaction with engineers, marketers, and other creative professionals.

• Access to high-performance workstations and the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite and Figma will be standard.

• Opportunities to interact with physical hardware for direct design application will be a unique aspect of this role.

• A fast-paced, growth-oriented atmosphere is expected, typical of a scaling technology company.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week (full-time, permanent). While the role is on-site, the "high-growth environment" and the nature of creative projects may sometimes require flexibility to meet deadlines, especially for major product launches or trade shows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement is crucial for a role involving physical hardware livery and potential trade show setup. This indicates that STARK values in-person collaboration and direct engagement with their products and team.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio by the recruitment team to assess basic qualifications and creative fit.

• Portfolio Deep Dive: An interview with the hiring manager or a senior designer to discuss your portfolio in detail. Be prepared to walk through specific projects, explaining your design choices, process, and the impact of your work.

• Technical/Creative Challenge: A potential design exercise or case study, possibly involving translating a technical concept into visual assets or developing a short motion graphic sequence. This will assess your practical skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Team/Culture Fit Interview: Meetings with potential team members or cross-functional collaborators to evaluate your working style, communication skills, and alignment with STARK's culture.

• Final Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to confirm suitability and discuss the role's strategic importance.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 4-6 of your strongest projects that best represent the skills required for this role: layout, typography, motion graphics, and technical concept translation.

• Highlight Process: For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your design process, the tools used, and the measurable outcomes or impact. Use visuals to show your thought process (sketches, wireframes, mood boards).

• Showcase Technical Translation: Include examples where you effectively simplified complex or technical information into clear, compelling visuals.

• Demonstrate Motion Skills: If possible, include short video clips or links to motion graphics projects that showcase storytelling and animation capabilities.

• Tailor to STARK: Emphasize any experience with hardware, defense, deep tech, or similar industries. If not, highlight transferable skills in complex problem-solving and high-impact visual communication.

• Presentation Ready: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually polished. Be ready to present it either live or via screen share.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Domain: Familiarize yourself with STARK's mission, technology (autonomous systems, defense tech), and their market position.

• Practice Technical Translation: Work on exercises that involve taking a brief technical description and creating a visual representation (diagram, infographic, short animation concept).

• Motion Graphics Practice: Brush up on your After Effects skills for creating dynamic and informative animations.

• Brand Consistency: Be prepared to discuss how you would maintain and evolve a brand identity across diverse applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "technical whitepapers," "investor decks," and "motion graphics" means the portfolio review will likely scrutinize not just aesthetic appeal but also clarity, persuasiveness, and the ability to communicate complex technical information effectively. The need for a security clearance also suggests a thorough background check will be part of the process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: Expert proficiency is mandatory, covering InDesign (layout, whitepapers, decks), Illustrator (graphics, diagrams, livery), Photoshop (image editing, mockups), and After Effects (motion graphics, animation).

• Figma: Essential for collaborative design workflows, potentially for digital platform interfaces, component design, or presentation creation.

• Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint): While not explicitly mentioned, it's highly probable for investor decks and internal presentations.

Analytics & Reporting: Not directly applicable to this role, but an understanding of how visual assets contribute to marketing campaign performance or website engagement metrics would be beneficial.

CRM & Automation: Not directly applicable to this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects) and Figma confirms the core technical requirements. Proficiency in these tools is non-negotiable and will be thoroughly assessed.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Revolution: A drive to push boundaries and revolutionize defense technology through advanced autonomous systems.

• Precision & Reliability: A commitment to high-performance, dependable systems, reflecting the critical nature of defense applications.

• Impact & Urgency: A focus on delivering deployable solutions today, not just future promises, emphasizing tangible results and rapid progress.

• Integrity & Security: Upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and security, given the defense sector context.

• Collaboration & Ownership: Fostering a team environment where individuals take initiative and work together to achieve ambitious goals.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional: Designers will work closely with engineers to understand technical nuances, marketers to align with campaign strategies, and leadership for strategic vision.

• Feedback-driven: A culture that encourages constructive feedback to refine designs and ensure technical accuracy and effective communication.

• Agile & Iterative: Embracing a process that allows for quick adaptation and improvement based on new information or changing project requirements.

• Mission-oriented: A shared understanding that the work contributes to a larger, critical mission of enhancing defense capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission to "deter aggression and defend Europe today" implies a serious, purpose-driven culture. The Visual Designer's role is to translate this serious mission into compelling visuals that inspire confidence and clearly communicate capability.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Complexity: The primary challenge is distilling highly technical and complex defense technology concepts into visually clear, accessible, and impactful designs without oversimplifying or misrepresenting the technology.

• Balancing Aesthetics & Technicality: Ensuring that visually striking designs also accurately reflect the precision, reliability, and advanced nature of STARK's systems.

• Rapid Growth Environment: Adapting to a fast-paced, evolving company where priorities and project scopes may shift quickly, requiring agility and resilience.

• Security Clearance: Navigating the process of obtaining and maintaining security clearance, which can be a lengthy and stringent requirement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in visual communication for the defense technology and autonomous systems sectors.

• Advanced Tool Proficiency: Mastering advanced features within Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, potentially exploring new design software or workflows.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Learning about engineering, product development, and business strategy within a cutting-edge tech company.

• Brand Strategy Influence: Opportunity to shape and expand the visual identity of a company in a critical industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenge of translating "deeply technical concepts" is central to this role. Success will depend on the designer's ability to ask the right questions, collaborate effectively with subject matter experts, and find creative solutions to complex communication problems.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing a visual system for a complex autonomous drone system, considering its technical specifications and intended use in contested environments?" (Assesses technical translation and strategic thinking)

• "Describe a time you had to translate a highly technical concept into a visual asset for a non-technical audience. What was your process and what was the outcome?" (Evaluates problem-solving and communication skills)

• "How do you ensure brand consistency across both digital platforms and physical applications like hardware livery or trade show booths?" (Tests understanding of brand management and multi-channel design)

• "Imagine we need to create a short, impactful motion graphic explaining a new software feature for our unmanned systems. How would you storyboard and execute this?" (Probes motion graphics skills and creative process) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working in the defense technology sector, specifically with STARK's mission?" (Assesses alignment with company values and industry)

• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your designs, particularly from engineers or technical stakeholders?" (Evaluates collaboration and adaptability)

• "Describe your experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. How do you prioritize and manage your workload?" (Tests resilience and organizational skills)

• "What are your thoughts on the importance of visual design for investor relations and customer engagement in a deep tech company?" (Gauges understanding of business impact) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling is Key: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the challenge, your solution, and the results. Use your words to guide the interviewer through your visuals.

• Highlight Technical Translation Examples: Make sure to call out projects where you simplified complex information. Explain why you made specific design choices to achieve clarity.

• Demonstrate Motion Graphics Capabilities: If presenting motion graphics, ensure the video plays smoothly and clearly. Be ready to discuss the animation techniques and creative rationale.

• Showcase Hardware Application: If you have examples of livery or physical product design, explain the constraints and considerations involved.

• Be Ready for Specific Tool Questions: Prepare to discuss your workflow in Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma, and potentially explain how you'd use specific tools to solve a problem.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions will likely probe not only creative talent but also the ability to operate within a mission-critical industry, manage complex projects, and collaborate effectively with technical teams. The emphasis on "software-defined" systems might also lead to questions about designing for interfaces or data visualization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Visual Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the STARK careers page.

• Customize Your Resume: Highlight your 4+ years of experience, specifically mentioning your proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects) and Figma. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Increased engagement on social assets by X%").

• Polish Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible online and clearly showcases your best work in layout, typography, motion graphics, and technical concept translation. Include case studies that detail your process and impact.

• Prepare for the Portfolio Review: Be ready to articulate your design choices, process, and the outcome of your projects. Practice explaining how you translate complex technical ideas into visuals.

• Research STARK: Understand their mission, technology (autonomous systems, defense tech), and target audience. Familiarize yourself with their existing brand identity to show genuine interest and preparedness.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.