Defence Program Manager 2026

Trusk Technology; Netherlands; Remote; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Trusk Technology in the Netherlands is seeking a commercial leader to own how we position and deploy our IP into defence programs across EDF and bilateral consortia. You’ll own opportunities, shape proposals, and manage relationships with primes, institutes and government stakeholders.

You'll run end-to-end programs from planning to reporting, budgeting and hours accountability, building a scalable commercial engine within a fast-growing tech team. Fluency in Dutch and English is required.

Qualifications

• Understand defence programs, consortia, and EU/NL funding mechanisms inside-out.
• Translate complex technology into program strategy and proposal language.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; you set things up, you don’t wait for structure.
• Fluent in Dutch and English, written and spoken.
• Network in Dutch defence ecosystem is a plus; understanding the ecosystem is a must.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new programs and consortia where Trusk's technology fits — EDF, Horizon Europe, KIEM Defensie, NWO-TTW and bilateral opportunities
• Structure how our IP and product offering maps to program requirements; package it into compelling proposals and bids
• Lead consortium relationships: prime contractors, research institutes, government stakeholders
• Run active programs end-to-end — planning, reporting, budget and hours accountability
• Keep us well-positioned with key stakeholders in the Dutch and European defence ecosystem

Skills

Defence program knowledge

Proposal writing

Stakeholder management

Dutch & English fluency

Job description

Trusk builds autonomous interception software for Ukraine and NATO. In this context, we're working on multiple programmes with the Dutch MoD and Ukrainian OEMs. We have a talented engineering team and are ready to engage across tenders, grants, and co-development programs in the Netherlands and Europe. We need help landing and managing those opportunities.

This role is the commercial engine behind our growth. You'll own how we position and deploy our IP into defence programs — EDF, EIC, KIEM, bilateral consortia — and make sure we win and deliver.

What you'll own

• Identify and pursue new programs and consortia where Trusk's technology fits — EDF, Horizon Europe, KIEM Defensie, NWO-TTW and bilateral opportunities
• Structure how our IP and product offering maps to program requirements; package it into compelling proposals and bids
• Lead consortium relationships: prime contractors, research institutes, government stakeholders
• Run active programs end-to-end — planning, reporting, budget and hours accountability
• Keep us well-positioned with key stakeholders in the Dutch and European defence ecosystem

What We’re Looking For

CORE SKILLS

• You understand how defence programs, consortia, and EU/NL funding mechanisms work — from the inside
• You can translate complex technology into program strategy and proposal language
• Entrepreneurial: you set things up, you don't wait for structure
• Fluent in Dutch and English, written and spoken
• Network in Dutch defence (MoD, primes, institutes) is a plus — understanding the ecosystem is a must

NICE TO HAVES

• Background in aerospace, robotics, autonomous systems, or adjacent tech
• Experience with EDF, EIC Accelerator, or NWO grant processes
• Prior work at a defence prime, TNO, NLR, or scale-up in the sector

You’ll be part of a 3 headed commercial team. That means real ownership, real impact, and building something from scratch alongside a technical team that ships fast. We're not a consultancy or a research lab — we deploy software in active theatres.

If you want to sit at the intersection of European defence policy, Ukrainian frontline tech, cutting-edge autonomy, and building a company that matters, this is the role.

Trusk Technology

Trusk is a young company, founded on the belief that Europe needs to be self-reliant for its defence. Warfare is changing. New doctrines are emerging around attritable drones. We’re countering the kamikaze drone threat with smart software on board of fast interceptor drones. This is but the beginning of fully autonomous systems that will dominate the battlefield of tomorrow.

I've never worked in a startup, is that a problem?

Can I work fully remote?

Do you only focus on Ukraine?

Background check, what's that all about?