Technical Manager Defense

Materialise; Heverlee; Sur place; EUR 90 000 - 130 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Materialise Manufacturing seeks a Technical Manager for Defense to lead defense-related activities and become the technical expert translating market needs and regulatory requirements into compliant, scalable solutions.

You will work across sales, engineering, production, quality, procurement and compliance to shape the segment portfolio, roadmap, and process excellence while balancing strategic growth with operational constraints.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years in manufacturing/engineering/tech program management or similar.
• Experience in regulated environments such as defense, aerospace, export control, or info security is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Act as the main technical reference point for defense-related requirements.
• Interpret and translate information security, export control, and other defense requirements into compliant systems and processes.
• Support commercial teams in understanding customer requirements, including classification and technical feasibility.
• Define and own the technical requirements to support efficient and compliant internal processes for the defense segment.
• Collaborate closely with sales, engineering, production, quality, procurement, and compliance stakeholders.

Connaissances

Technical leadership

Regulatory compliance

Export controls

Regulated environments

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Formation

Engineering degree

Description du poste

At Materialise Manufacturing, we believe that revolutionizing industries starts with bringing ideas to life in smarter ways. If you’re passionate about helping customers turn concepts into high-quality parts, you’ll love being a part of this team. Through our digital manufacturing services, companies are accelerating the complete product development life cycle.As Technical Manager for Defense, you will play a key role in building and strengthening our defense-related activities. You will be the technical expert within this domain, connecting market needs, customer expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal operational capabilities.In this role, you ensure that our products, processes, and technical capabilities meet the specific demands of the defense market. You work across teams to translate customer and regulatory requirements into practical, compliant, and scalable solutions. By combining technical expertise with business insight, you help shape the segment portfolio, guide process improvements, and support strategic growth. This is a highly cross-functional position in which you collaborate closely with sales, engineering, production, quality, procurement, and compliance stakeholders.What you will doTechnical and regulatory expertise in defenseAct as the main technical reference point for defense-related technical, regulatory, compliance, and industry-specific requirementsInterpret and translate information security, export control, and other defense-related requirements into compliant systems, processes, and ways of workingSupport commercial teams in understanding and assessing customer requirements, including classification, compliance, and technical feasibilityServe as the main point of contact for export license requests and related documentation with the relevant authoritiesProvide technical input during customer discussions, pre-sales activities, and project scopingProcess ownership and operational excellenceDefine and own the technical requirements needed to support efficient and compliant internal processes for the defense segmentEstablish and follow up on standardized workflows, methodologies, and procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and regulatory complianceSupport and guide sales engineering teams by providing technical direction, coaching, and practical expertiseWork closely with production and quality teams to define, validate, and improve required production capabilities, assets, and process standards in line with customer expectationsPortfolio and technology managementManage the defense segment portfolio and help ensure it remains aligned with market developments, customer needs, and internal capabilitiesIdentify gaps between current capabilities and future market requirements, and contribute to the technical roadmapLead or support the qualification and introduction of new products, materials, technologies, and processes into the operational environmentCollaborate with external partners and suppliers to gather technical information, understand product roadmaps, and identify opportunities for improvementEvaluate the business and financial impact of introducing new technologies, products, or processes, together with business stakeholdersCross-functional alignment and prioritizationMaintain close collaboration with engineering, production, quality, and commercial teams to understand operational realities and technical constraintsAssess technical feasibility and advise on capability fit, resource implications, and operational impactSupport decision-making on priorities by balancing strategic opportunities, customer needs, compliance requirements, and internal capacityContribute to backlog and roadmap prioritization together with business and operational stakeholdersYour profileBachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, or equivalent relevant experience5 to 10 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, industrialization, technical program management, or a related technical environmentA strong understanding of technical processes, products, and industrial operationsExperience with or affinity for regulated environments, preferably including defense, aerospace, manufacturing, export control, compliance, or information securityComfortable translating complex technical and regulatory requirements into practical solutions and workable processesStrong analytical skills and able to assess technical feasibility, weigh priorities, and make well-founded decisionsA strong quality mindset and understanding of how to implement and maintain high standards in line with customer and industry expectationsAble to work effectively across multiple stakeholders and influence teams without direct hierarchical authorityCombine technical expertise with business understanding and are able to balance short-term operational needs with long-term strategic goalsWhat’s waiting for youWork that mattersThe technology we build at Materialise pushes the boundaries. You’ll find pride in building something that matters, whether you designed it, printed it, or shipped it. No matter your role, we unlock new possibilities to build a better and healthier world every day.At Materialise, we expect you to think about the customer, not just the task. You push for better solutions and care about the difference your work makes.A people-centered spaceWhen you join Materialise, you join a group of colleagues invested in you, not just your work. From your own team to a department across the world, you’ll find a sense of belonging with people who help without being asked, challenge you, and have your back.At the same time, we expect you to invest in the people around you — not just your own work — to make the group stronger than the sum of its parts.An environment of trustAs a company of innovators, we know how crucial autonomy is in your work. When we hire you, we trust in your expertise, giving you space to organize your tasks, work flexibly, and make your own calls.At Materialise, we expect you to deliver on that trust and keep your commitments.A career ready to buildWhen you see opportunities for your career to grow at Materialise, we encourage you to go for them. People shape a fulfilling career at their own pace here.At Materialise, we expect you to take initiative in your own development. Don’t wait for someone else to plan your career. Step into the space and make it count.Make a difference together with the Manufacturing team.