Defense Program Manager

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

About the role

Imagine this. You are leading complex defence programmes where advanced aerospace and defence systems move from engineering development into testing, qualification, certification and operational delivery. You bring structure to complexity, connect technical teams with customer requirements, and make sure critical programmes keep moving forward.

At Destinus, we are developing and delivering advanced interceptors and strike systems designed for the evolving demands of modern defence operations. Our technologies combine speed, autonomy, precision and advanced engineering to deliver mission-critical capabilities for defence customers worldwide. We work at the edge of what is technically possible, turning ambitious concepts into systems built to perform in demanding operational environments.

As our Defense Program Manager, you will take ownership of strategic defence programmes in the Netherlands, coordinating closely with customers, engineering, operations, testing and leadership teams.

This role sits at the intersection of defence, engineering and programme delivery. We are looking for someone who understands complex military programmes and can successfully lead advanced defence systems through development, testing, qualification, certification and delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Lead complex defence programmes, taking ownership of execution, planning and delivery

• Build trusted relationships with customers and key external stakeholders, acting as a strong interface between their requirements and our 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

• Contribute to strengthening Destinus' long-term position within the European defence ecosystem

What You’ll Need

• Significant experience managing complex defence, military, aerospace or advanced technology programmes

• Experience working with interceptors, strike systems, weapons systems, missiles, military platforms or comparable complex defence technologies

• Demonstrated experience taking military or defence systems through development, testing, qualification and certification

• Strong understanding of defence programme environments, including the technical, regulatory and operational requirements involved in delivering military systems

• Good technical understanding and the ability to work effectively with engineering and product development teams

• Strong programme management capabilities across planning, risk management, stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination

• Ability to communicate effectively with senior customer stakeholders and highly technical engineering teams

• Strong relationship-building skills and the credibility to represent Destinus with senior external stakeholders

• Professional fluency in Dutch and English

Who You Are

You are comfortable taking ownership of complex, high-stakes programmes where technical performance, customer expectations and delivery timelines all need to come together. You bring structure without creating unnecessary bureaucracy and know how to keep multidisciplinary teams moving toward a common goal.

You combine a pragmatic, hands-on mindset with enough technical depth to challenge assumptions, understand engineering constraints and make informed decisions. You thrive in fast-moving environments where there is still plenty to build, define and solve.

Security screening is an integral component of the selection process, ensuring that candidates meet the organization's security standards and safeguarding against potential risks.

Providing a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is a standard part of the application process at Destinus.