170a - BraveTech EU - Project Officer AI & Emerging Technologies

European Defence Agency; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

European Defence Agency in Brussels seeks a Project Officer for BraveTech EU, focusing on AI and emerging technologies within the RTI Directorate. The role supports technology challenges, experimental planning and coordination with CapTechs and CEDI, ensuring alignment with OSRA and innovation initiatives.

The successful candidate will contribute to technology priority development, engage with start-ups and innovators, and work under the Agency’s temporary staff framework for a 3-year period

Qualifications

• University degree in CS/Engineering or equivalent required.
• Experience in AI, emerging technologies or defence R&D preferred.
• Strong coordination and teamwork skills in a multinational environment.

Responsibilities

• Refine BraveTech EU AI and Software-Defined Defence challenges.
• Support planning of experimentation campaigns and evaluation criteria.
• Coordinate technology roadmapping and OSRA contributions.
• Provide analyses, briefing notes and strategic recommendations on AI.

Skills

AI & Emerging Technologies

Project coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

English proficiency

Education

University degree in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Job description

170a - BraveTech EU - Project Officer AI & Emerging Technologies at the European Defence Agency (EDA), Brussels, Belgium. Contract type: Agency’s Temporary Staff. Grade: AD7. Directorate: Research, Technology and Innovation Directorate (RTI). Reference: EDA/2026/170a. Security clearance: SECRET UE/EU SECRET. Application deadline: 2026-11-10.

BACKGROUND

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established on 12 July 2004, and isgoverned by CouncilDecision (CFSP) 2015/1835 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency. The Agency has its headquarters in Brussels.

The main task of EDA is to support the Council and the Member States in their effort to improve the Union's defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the Common Security andDefence Policy (CSDP) as it currently stands and as it develops in the future.

The Agency is structured into four directorates. The Corporate Services Directorate (CSD) and three operational directorates: Capability, Armament & Planning (CAP); Procurement, Support, Industry & Interoperability (PSII); Research, Technology & Innovation (RTI).

THE AGENCY'S WAY OF WORKING

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all of the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of commitment, flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

THE RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DIRECTORATE (RTI)

The Research, Technology & Innovation Directorate (RTI) supports Member States in translating defence priorities and operational needs into technological solutions and future capabilities. On the basis of the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda, it provides an integrated, end-to-end service covering technology identification and prioritisation, collaborative research and technology development, innovation, experimentation, and support for the transition of promising solutions towards operational use.

Through its Capability Technology Working Groups, technology programmes and experimentation activities, RTI promotes collaborative defence research and innovation in areas of common interest. The Directorate also coordinates EDA’s contribution to EU-funded defence research and innovation programmes, supports the implementation of activities entrusted by the European Commission, and facilitates the management, exploitation and uptake of results in line with Member States' priorities.

The RTI Directorate comprises:

• Technology Programmes Unit (TPU) supports Member States in identifying and developing priority defence technologies through the Capability Technology Groups, the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda and collaborative R&T activities. It brings together capability pull and technology push across the air and space, maritime and land domains, as well as information superiority, cyber and resilience, power and control technologies, while promoting greater cross-domain cooperation and coherence;
• EU Programmes and RTI Coordination Unit (EPC) ensures the coherent planning, coordination and monitoring of the RTI Directorate’s portfolio. It coordinates the Directorate’s engagement in EU-funded defence research and innovation programmes, supports the implementation of entrusted activities, and promotes synergies between collaborative R&T, innovation, experimentation and capability development activities;
• Centre for European Defence Innovation (CEDI) provides a coherent and scalable innovation and experimentation function supporting Member States along the full innovation pathway. CEDI connects promising technologies and innovative solutions with end users, testing and experimentation facilities and potential follow-on pathways, helping Member States assess military utility, reduce adoption risks and accelerate the transition towards operationally relevant and deployment-ready solutions.

THE UNIT

The Technology Programmes Unit (TPU) is responsible for the European Defence Agency's technology strategy, oversight and management of the fifteen Capability Technology Groups (CapTechs) and their project portfolio, and the identification and promotion of emerging technologies relevant to defence. Through these activities, TPU supports collaborative defence research, innovation and technology development across Member States.

BraveTech EU is a European Defence Fund (EDF) Coordination and Support Action designed to accelerate the uptake of battlefield-relevant innovation for defence.

Within this context, the position holder will support technology challenges related to AI and Software-Defined Defence, while ensuring coherence with the Agency's wider technology strategy and CapTech activities.

The position holder will contribute to the development and coordination of defence technology priorities, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software-Defined Defence and other emerging technologies and architectures. The role will act as a bridge between TPU's technology activities, the Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) framework, the CapTech network and innovation initiatives implemented through CEDI and BraveTech EU.

DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Technology Programmes Unit,

• refine BraveTech EU technology challenges, with particular focus on AI and Software-Defined Defence;
• support the preparation of experimentation plans and technology challenge campaigns;
• contribute to the development of assessment criteria and evaluation methodologies for participating innovators and start-ups;
• identify opportunities for transition of BraveTech EU outcomes into wider EDA technology activities.

Research & CapTech Synchronisation - AI and Emerging Technologies

• ensure that innovation trends and operational feedback from BraveTech EU are translated into coherent input for TPU activities and priorities;
• support the synchronisation of the 15 CapTechs, their Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs), Technology Building Blocks (TBBs), Action Plans and related technology roadmaps;
• act as the TPU focal point for technology roadmapping contributions to OSRA, especially with regard to AI and emerging technologies;
• contribute to capability-driven and technology-driven R&T initiatives and activities;
• provide technology analysis, briefing notes and strategic recommendations on AI and emerging technologies relevant to defence.

Cross-cutting responsibilities

• prepare briefing notes, reports and management information;
• contribute to project assessments and lessons-learned activities;
• undertake additional tasks as required in the interest of the service.

Duties may evolve according to the development of EDA’s structure and activities and the decisions of EDA management.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be considered eligible to take part in this selection procedure, on the closing date for the submission of applications candidates must satisfy all the eligibility criteria as specified below:

• be a national of a Member State participating in the Agency;
• be entitled to their full rights as citizens;
• have fulfilled any obligations imposed on them by the laws concerning military service;
• produce the appropriate character references as to their suitability for the performance of their duties (extract from the “judicial record” or certificate of good conduct will be requested prior to recruitment);
• be physically fit to perform their duties;
• have a thorough knowledge (minimum level C1 oral and written) of one of the languages of the participating Member States and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum level B2 oral and written) of another of these languages to the extent necessary to discharge their duties;
• have no personal interest (financial, family relationship, or other) which could be in conflict with disinterested discharge of their duties within the Agency;
• hold, or be in a position to obtain, a valid Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (national or EU PSC at SECRET UE/EU SECRET level). Personnel Security Clearance Certificate (PSCC) means a certificate issued by a competent authority establishing that an individual is security cleared and holds a valid national or EU PSC, and which shows the level of EUCI to which that individual may be granted access (SECRET UE/EU SECRET), the date of validity of the relevant PSC and the date of expiry of the certificate itself. Note that the necessary procedure for obtaining a PSCC can be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate;
• have a level ofeducation which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more, or a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and appropriate professional experience of at least one year when the normal period of university education is at least three years or be a graduate of a national or international Defence College; or where justified in the interests of the service, professional training of an equivalent level.

Only diplomas that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are the subject of equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. In the latter case, the authority authorised to conclude contracts of employment reserves the right to request proof of such equivalence.

For diplomas awarded in non-EU countries, a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/

Qualifications/diplomas awarded until 31/12/2020 in the United Kingdom are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required.

For native English speakers, your ability to communicate in another EU language will be tested during the selection process. To assess your foreign language levels, see: https://europa.eu/europass/en/common-european-framework-reference-language-skills

SELECTION CRITERIA

A. Essential

Only applications meeting all essential selection criteria will be assessed.

(1) Professional

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the following qualifications:

• a university degree (or equivalent academic degree) in one of the following or similar fields: computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics/robotics, telecommunications, information technology;
• at least six (6) years of relevant professional experience acquired after the award of the qualification required as a condition of eligibility;
• proven experience in the defence domain, particularly in research and technology, capability development or innovation, together with practical experience in AI related technology activities;
• proven experience in the preparation, coordination and conduct of technology experimentation involving non-traditional defence players;
• proven experience in technology roadmapping and the development or coordination of research and innovation priorities;
• proven experience in the dissemination and exploitation of defence research project results;
• good knowledge of the European defence cooperation environment, related policies, European Research and Technology programmes and funding frameworks, including the role and activities of EDA;
• very good command of written and oral English.

(2) Personal

All staff must be able to fit into the Agency's way of working (see para. 2). Other attributes important for this post include:

• strong coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to manage parallel activities and meet deadlines;
• ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multinational environment;
• ability to coordinate technical processes effectively while respecting the roles and responsibilities of subject-matter experts;
• strong analytical skills and ability to identify links across policy, capability, research and innovation activities;
• sound judgement and discretion, including the ability to handle sensitive information appropriately;
• flexibility, service orientation and genuine commitment to the Agency’s objectives.

B. Desirable

The following will be considered an advantage:

• hold a (recognised) project management qualification;
• proven record in cooperation with military stakeholders;
• proven experience in handling classified information.

APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR TEMPORARY AGENTS AT EDA

EDA, whose staff are governed by its own Staff Regulations, offers specific conditions of employment with regards to contract duration and pension arrangements.

CONTRACT DURATION

The Project Officer AI & Emerging Technologies will be appointed by the Chief Executive. Recruitment will be as a member of the temporary staff of the Agency for a 3-year period. Renewal is subject to budget availability (BraveTech EU) and within the limits set out in the EDA Staff Regulations. The successful candidate will be recruited as Temporary Agent, grade AD7. In line with EDA's Staff Regulations, the Agency does not offer inter-Agency mobility.

FINANCIAL ENTITLEMENTS

The pay for this position consists of a basic salary of 7.876,27€ supplemented with various allowances including, as applicable, expatriation or family allowances. Successful candidates are graded on entry into service according to the length of their professional experience. Salaries are exempted from national tax, instead an Agency tax is deducted at source.

PENSION ARRANGEMENTS SPECIFIC TO EDA

Prospective staff members considering a career at the European Defence Agency (EDA) should be aware that EDA has its own pension provisions and is not part of the EU institutions' pension scheme (PSEUI).

In addition, EDA staff have several flexible options regarding their pension contributions at the end of their contract, under certain conditions, such as:

• transfer to a public pension scheme;
• transfer to a private pension scheme;
• direct payment as a severance grant.

For further information on working conditions please refer to: https://eda.europa.eu/jobs/what-we-offer

INDEPENDENCE AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The selected candidates will be required to make a declaration of commitment to act independently in the Agency’s interest and to make a declaration in relation to interests that might be considered prejudicial to their independence.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EDA is an equal opportunities employer and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of age, race, political, philosophical or religious conviction, sex or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or family situation.

DATA PROTECTION

Please note that EDA will not return applications to candidates. The personal information EDA requests from candidates will be processed in line with Regulation (EU) N° 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) 45/2001 and Decision No. 1247/2002/EC.

The purpose of processing personal data which candidates submit is to manage applications in view of possible pre-selection and recruitment at EDA. More information on personal data protection in relation to selection and recruitment can be found on the EDA website: http://www.eda.europa.eu/jobs/dataprotection