Senior Programme Manager - Maritime

Helsing; München, Berlin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Relocation support

Health and wellness support

Enhanced parental leave

Monthly social allowances

Job summary

Helsing is seeking a Senior Programme Manager, Maritime, in Berlin to lead strategic partnerships and customer programmes in naval warfare. You will work with industry partners and armed forces to drive complex defence programmes from inception to delivery.

The right candidate will have a strong background in managing defence programmes and domain knowledge in areas like political science or engineering. Our company culture values diverse contributions and offers benefits such as relocation support and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Track record of leading complex programmes across business development and delivery.
• Domain knowledge relevant to maritime defence.
• End-to-end ownership of strategic challenges.
• Effective communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the market strategy for maritime defence programmes.
• Identify new business opportunities with navies and industry partners.
• Take responsibility for complex programmes from engagement to delivery.
• Lead collaborations with government customers and industry partners.

Skills

Leadership in complex programmes

Communication with government stakeholders

Business development in defence

Understanding of maritime defence

Education

Degree in political science, international security, or engineering

Job description

Who we are

Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards.

As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously.

We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications.

The role

As Senior Programme Manager, Maritime, you will shape Helsing's strategic partnerships and the customer programmes that are defining the future of naval warfare. Working directly with industry partners, procurement agencies and armed forces, you will own the strategy, vision and roadmap for current and future maritime defence programmes. This means building a deep understanding of customer needs, developing new opportunities with navies and the broader defence industry, and driving complex programmes from early engagement through to delivery. You will work alongside a distinctive partnerships and programmes team, drawing on varied expertise to shape how partners and customers think about software and AI in defence.

The day-to-day

• Shape and execute Helsing's market strategy, vision and roadmap for current and future maritime defence programmes

• Anticipate market trends and client needs to identify and develop new business opportunities with navies, armed forces and industry partners

• Take end-to-end responsibility for complex defence programmes, from early-stage engagements through to high-quality, on-time delivery

• Lead programmes in close collaboration with government customers, industry partners and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment at every stage

• Own strategic campaigns, coordinating all activities and decisions required to deliver in line with Helsing's strategic goals

You should apply if you

• Have built a track record of leading complex programmes across both business development and delivery within defence, government or related professional services

• Bring domain knowledge relevant to maritime defence, developed through experience or education in areas such as political science, international security, business administration, data science or engineering

• Take end-to-end ownership of strategic challenges, driving programmes from initial engagement to successful completion

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with senior government, armed forces and industry stakeholders, building lasting and trusted relationships

• Meet the requirements for national security clearance in the applicable country

Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

Nice to Have

• Bring prior military or domain experience, particularly in naval warfare or related operational roles

• Hold existing relationships with key stakeholders in European naval procurement or defence industry ecosystems

What we offer

• Competitive salary and VSOP options

• Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation

• Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance

• Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health)

• Social: regularly company events and monthly social allowances

• Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers & 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.

• Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work

These are the core benefits across all locations, there may be additional benefits in certain locations.

Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.