Research & Technology Business Developer

Airbus; Albacete; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Helicopters España, S.A. is seeking a senior professional to drive R&D funding capture, consortia development, and alignment of technology roadmaps with European and national funding mechanisms.

Based in Getafe, the role collaborates with the Head of Engineering Spain and engages with AH and ET stakeholders across Europe. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in the field, a deep aerospace background, and an extensive network with MoD, DGAM, CDTI, and other agencies; English negotiation

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 5 years dedicated to R&D public funding capture in high-tech, defense, or aerospace.
• Strong aeronautical technical background with an understanding of complex engineering systems and roadmaps.
• Extensive network within national and European funding bodies, with established contacts in Spanish MoD, DGAM, DIGEID/PLATIN, CDTI or MINTUR, and with aerospace and defense firms.
• Proven track record in European programs (Clean Aviation, Horizon Europe, EDF) and national/regional funding mechanisms; experience with Public Procurement of Innovation is a plus.
• Fluent in English and native Spanish, with ability to influence cross-organizational stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel nationally and in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Identify strategic financing opportunities across European, national, and regional funding landscapes.
• Lead capture strategies and prepare high-quality proposals for public funding, industrial investment, and procurement calls.
• Coordinate lobbying with external stakeholders to defend Airbus Helicopters’ roadmap and strategy.
• Build consortia with industrial partners, SMEs, universities and research centers in Spain and Europe.
• Coordinate with R&T project teams to ensure smooth handover from capture to contract signature.
• Map technology roadmaps with AH R&T teams and Engineering Centres of Competence (CoCs) for funding alignment.
• Protect IP through early-stage consortium agreements and proposal structures.

Job description

Job Description:

We are looking for a key player to transform our technological roadmaps into reality by identifying strategic public funding opportunities, building collaborative consortia, and securing public financing for our R&T projects in Spain.

The position is functionally attached to the Head of Engineering Spain (EBST) and reports operationally to the Research and Innovation Leader in Spain (ETR).

Your working environment:

You will be based in Getafe, co-located with other divisions of the Airbus Group. The primary advantage of this location is to foster cross-divisional synergies. You will also be in close contact with AH facilities in Albacete.

You will interact regularly with all other organisations of EBS & ET and within AH (strategy, business, finance, HR, communication, legal…).

Your challenges:

• Funding Intelligence & Strategy: Actively monitor, analyze, and map European (e.g., Clean Aviation, Horizon Europe, EDF), National (e.g., CDTI, MINTUR, SEPIDES, Ministry of Defence/DGAM/PLATIN), and Regional funding landscapes to identify strategic financing opportunities for Airbus Helicopters España.
• Capture & Bidding Management: Lead and drive the capture strategy and preparation of high-quality proposals for public funding, industrial investment, and procurement calls (including R&D grants, CAPEX/industrialization funds, and PPI), ensuring full alignment with our technology roadmaps. Prepare and complete the bidding dossier in complementarity with other research activities performed by AH in Europe.
• Strategic Lobbying & Influence: Actively lobby, influence, and align external public and private stakeholders to defend Airbus Helicopters’ technological roadmap and strategy.
• Consortium Building & Alliances: Lead the early-stage setup of proposals and build collaborative consortia, establishing and maintaining relationships with key industrial partners, SMEs, universities, and research centers in Spain and Europe.
• Handover & Coordination: Seamlessly coordinate with the colleagues in charge of R&T projects execution to ensure a smooth transition of proposals from capture to formal contract signature. Support project execution and justification when necessary.
• Technology Alignment: Coordinate globally with AH R&T teams and the Engineering Centres of Competence (CoCs) to map their technological roadmaps and capabilities against available funding mechanisms. Communicate in an appropriate way to various internal stakeholders.
• IP Protection: Under the guidance of the Head of IP, ensure that early-stage consortium agreements and proposal structures safeguard Airbus Helicopters’ Intellectual Property rights.

Your profile:

• Experience: More than 10 years of professional experience, with at least 5 years directly dedicated to R&D public funding capture in high-tech, defense, or aerospace sectors.
• Technical Background: Strong aeronautical technical background combined with a solid understanding of complex engineering systems and technology roadmaps.
• Network & Relationships: Extensive and pre-existing network within national and European funding bodies (specifically requiring established contacts within the Spanish Ministry of Defence, DGAM, and DIGEID/PLATIN, alongside other relevant entities like CDTI or MINTUR), as well as with key aerospace and defense sector companies in Spain and Europe.
• Funding Expertise: Proven track record in navigating European programs (Clean Aviation, Horizon Europe, EDF) and National/Regional funding mechanisms (such as CDTI or MINTUR). Experience in collaborative R&D grants is essential. Knowledge of Public Procurement of Innovation processes (PPI) is a plus.
• Mindset & Teamwork: Innovative mindset with a strong “team player” attitude, demonstrated capacity to work in cross-organizational contexts and influence heterogeneous teams.
• Autonomy: Ability to drive complex capture campaigns and orchestrate multi-partner consortia autonomously .
• Language & Culture: Spanish speaker (native) with a deep understanding of Spanish institutions and fluent in English (negotiation level).
• Integrity: A strong commitment to acting with integrity and identifying compliance risks to protect the company’s reputation.
• Travel: Availability to travel at a national and European level.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Helicopters España, SA

Employment Type:

Permanent

Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Chief Engineering & Architecture

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.