Creative Director

At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting‑edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. With teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events. 📱 Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

We are seeking an experienced, collaborative Creative Director to help advance an emerging medium for storytelling within the Sky Story industry. In this role, you will work closely with clients and partners to develop innovative, inspiring story concepts, and collaborate with our world‑class Nova Design Studio to bring those ideas to life.

Our work spans a range of industries, including theme parks, music, and fine art, but we are particularly interested in those with experience in cultural storytelling, such as tourism, heritage sites, and place‑based narratives. You will play a key role in uniting Nova’s cross‑functional teams, including engineering, operations, and finance, to push creative and technical boundaries.

The Sky Story industry is still young and growing, and so there is no one‑size‑fits‑all approach. We are open minded to finding the right individuals who can continue to grow this industry.

As a Creative Director, you will be responsible for:

• Develop creative proposals for long‑term shows, installations, and residencies
• Partner directly with clients to understand objectives and translate them into compelling story‑driven concepts
• Collaborate with the Nova Design Studio to develop and refine creative ideas
• Lead projects from initial concept through execution and delivery
• Align cross‑functional teams to ensure creative vision, feasibility, and business goals are met
• Contribute to sales and business development efforts through pitches, decks, and creative presentations

You’ll need to have:

• 10+ years of experience in storytelling, creative entertainment, cultural preservation, or a related field
• Strong background in cultural storytelling, ideally with an anthropology, historical, or heritage‑based focus
• Proven ability to lead projects from concept through completion
• Experience creating sales collateral, including pitch materials and presentations
• Open‑minded, collaborative approach with a strong sense of humility and continuous learning

What defines you:

• Passionate about the creative potential of drone and emerging technologies
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate ideas
• Strong interpersonal skills and a highly team‑oriented mindset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Agile, quick learner who adapts creatively as projects evolve
• Results‑driven, “can‑do” attitude focused on innovative solutions and growth
• Comfortable giving and receiving constructive creative feedback
• Eager to collaborate closely with teammates, clients, and external partner

How to be successful in this role:

• Enthusiastic about the creative potential of drone technology
• Effective communication skills to articulate ideas and collaborate within teams
• Strong interpersonal skills with a team‑oriented approach
• Capacity to manage priorities, multitask, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment
• Having an efficient and structured workflow
• Strong drive to experiment and innovate
• Quick learner with agility in adapting design approaches
• A results‑oriented, “can‑do” attitude with a focus on creative solutions
• Ability to provide and receive constructive, creative feedback across teams
• Willingness to collaborate closely with team members, clients, and external partners

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.

Nova Sky Stories

Utrecht, Netherlands 1 day ago

The Nova Sky Stories Utrecht team is a passionate group of people with a hands‑on approach collaborating closely to keep improving and bring awe to live audiences. We are seeking an experienced Creative Software Developer with serious C++ and 3D visualization skills to help us build innovative tools that push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual entertainment.

As a Creative Software Developer you will be responsible for:

• Developing, optimizing, and maintaining our cutting‑edge drone light show desktop applications, using C++, JUCE, QT and OpenGL.
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team (designers, drone operators, and engineers) to create smooth and reliable software solutions that make our light shows come to life.
• Working on real‑time data processing, control interfaces, and cool features that enhance the experience of both operators and spectators alike.

You’ll need to have:

• Expertise in building complex desktop applications using C++ with a strong focus on efficiency, robustness and intuitive controls.
• Strong understanding of UI/UX design principles for creating software that is not only powerful but also easy to use.
• Experience with multithreading, real‑time systems, and performance optimization for high‑demands applications.
• Bonus if you have experience with 3D modeling software, motion‑graphics tools, hardware interfacing, or other technologies that require precise synchronization of complex systems.
• A proactive, problem‑solving attitude with a passion for working on groundbreaking tech that blends software development with creative expression.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us:

• Be part of something innovative: Work on projects that combine cutting‑edge technology and creativity to deliver one‑of‑a‑kind visual experiences.
• Creative freedom: Have the autonomy to take on challenges, propose solutions, and see your ideas implemented in real‑world applications.
• Direct impact: Your work will have a real and visible influence on the execution of massive, high‑profile visual events across the globe.
• Supportive environment: Join a fun, forward‑thinking team based in Utrecht. Collaborative, passionate, and always pushing boundaries together to create something magical.
• Exciting perks: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and front‑row access to the incredible visual experiences you help bring to life.

Excited to Take on This Challenge? If you’re ready to apply your C++ skills to a role where software meets creativity and technology, we’d love to hear from you! PS. If you have a portfolio or project that shows off your skills? Share it with us - we love to see how creative developers get.

We are a fast‑moving, highly effective team with a start‑up spirit, building cutting‑edge technology where engineering meets art and creative experiences. We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer who loves solving complex problems, working hands‑on, and pushing technology forward with passion. At Nova Sky Stories, ownership matters more than hierarchy. You’ll take full responsibility for your work, operate independently, and be trusted to deliver.

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Design, develop, and optimize mechanical parts and assemblies with a strong focus on injection molding and scalable production
• Work closely with injection molding, CNC machining, and rapid prototyping suppliers, from concept through production
• Apply design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) and design‑for‑assembly (DFA) principles to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost‑effective designs
• Integrate safety and reliability considerations into all mechanical designs from the earliest stages
• Develop, evaluate, and select electrical and mechanical connector and contact solutions for robust system integration
• Optimize designs for lightweight structures, balancing strength, durability, cost, and manufacturability
• Contribute to the design and improvement of aerodynamic concepts, propulsion systems (propellers), battery systems, and lightweight thermal management solutions
• Build, assemble, and test mechanical prototypes using CNC machining, 3D printing, and other rapid fabrication methods
• Run simulations and analyze test data and log files to validate designs and drive continuous improvements
• Collaborate with suppliers and contract manufacturers on material selection, component sourcing, and production readiness
• Work closely with electronics and firmware engineers to deliver fully integrated mechanical‑electrical systems
• Support flight operations, including flight testing, system validation, maintenance, and manufacturing ramp‑up

What will make you successful in this role:

• A creative, curious mindset with the ability to think outside the box and solve complex problems
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field
• Hands‑on experience designing for injection molding and rapid prototyping
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and their real‑world trade‑offs
• Solid grasp of design‑for‑safety and design‑for‑reliability principles
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical connector solutions and system integration
• Proven experience designing lightweight, robust, and reliable structures
• Practical mechanical prototyping skills, including CNC machining, 3D printing, and similar methods
• Experience sourcing components and collaborating with external suppliers and manufacturers
• Experience running simulations and analyzing test data and log files to improve designs
• A structured and transparent approach to problem‑solving, comfortable using tools such as JIRA, Slack, and similar collaboration platforms
• Drone or UAV experience is a strong plus — you’ll test‑fly what you build
• Self‑reliant, hands‑on, and motivated to take ownership and drive projects to completion
• Based in the Munich area and willing to work on‑site at our office in Gilching
• Willingness to travel internationally is a plus — our shows fly on all continents

What we offer:

• A fun, creative, and highly effective team with a strong start‑up spirit
• Unique, exciting projects where mechanics, electronics, firmware, and software come together to create unforgettable storytelling and artistic experiences
• Real ownership and responsibility, with trust and freedom instead of daily micro‑management
• An environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and personal growth
• Fast decision‑making, open communication, and a high level of collaboration and team spirit