Defense Program Lead: Complex Systems Delivery

Destinus; Katwijk; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Defense Program Manager to lead complex defence programmes in the Netherlands, translating customer requirements into actionable work streams across engineering, operations, testing and leadership. You will own execution plans, milestones and budgets while ensuring alignment with security standards.

The role requires significant defence/military programmes experience, fluency in Dutch and English, and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex defence, military, aerospace or advanced technology programmes.
• Experience with interceptors, strike systems, missiles or equivalent defence tech.
• Proven track record taking military systems through development, testing and certification.
• Strong understanding of defence programme environments including regulatory and operational requirements.
• Solid technical background enabling collaboration with engineering and product teams.
• Excellent communication with senior stakeholders and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex defence programmes, taking ownership of execution, planning and delivery.
• Build trusted relationships with customers and key external stakeholders, acting as an interface between requirements and internal teams.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across engineering, operations, testing, production and other programme functions.
• Translate customer and operational requirements into clear priorities and deliverables for technical teams.
• Manage programme scope, milestones, dependencies, risks, budgets and deliverables.
• Drive programmes through development, testing, qualification and certification activities.
• Ensure alignment between customer expectations, operational requirements and engineering development.
• Identify programme risks early and drive practical solutions across technical, operational and stakeholder challenges.
• Represent Destinus in meetings with government, military, industry and other relevant stakeholders.

Skills

Programme management

Defence / aerospace experience

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Dutch language

English language

Job description

Destinus is seeking a Defense Program Manager to lead complex defence programmes in the Netherlands, translating customer requirements into actionable work streams across engineering, operations, testing and leadership. You will own execution plans, milestones and budgets while ensuring alignment with security standards.

The role requires significant defence/military programmes experience, fluency in Dutch and English, and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and external