Interim: (Senior) Partnership Manager – Strategic Defence Technology

Imec India Private Limited; Eindhoven; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

imec is seeking an interim (Senior) Partnership Manager with defence experience to strengthen its strategic position in the Netherlands. The role focuses on positioning, partnerships, and translating opportunities into technology programs, reporting to the Business Line Director of Aerospace & Security and imec NL's Regional Managing Director.

The position involves shaping strategic entry, coordinating with defence partners, and delivering multi-partner projects with clear timelines and budgets

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of program or project management in international or cross-functional environments.
• EU27 nationality and able to undergo Defence-related security screening.
• Defence-domain experience (3–5 years) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Position imec in NL defence ecosystem through strategic partnerships.
• Manage high-level defence stakeholders and coordinate internal/external experts.
• Generate strategic leads in NL that translate into funded defence programs.
• Define and deliver multi-partner projects with timelines and budgets.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Bilingual Dutch and English

Education

MSc or PhD in Engineering

Job description

Interim: (Senior) Partnership Manager – Strategic Defence Technology

Drivingimec’sstrategic position in theEuropeanDefenceecosystem

Why now

Europe and likeminded countries face anunprecedented urgency to strengthen technologicalsovereignty. Defenceministries and industry partners areaccelerating investments in the semiconductors value chain, securecommunication, sensing, and AI-enabled systems — domainswhereimec’ssemiconductor leadership is increasinglymission-critical. With the Netherlands scaling itsDefenceinnovationagenda and Europe building new collaborative frameworks, imec is expanding itsstrategic presence to ensure that breakthrough chip technologies directlycontribute to long-termdefencecapability development.

About imec

Imec is the world’s leading independentnanoelectronics R&D hub. Through world-class talent, advancedinfrastructure, and a global partner network, we enable semiconductorinnovations that are smaller, faster, more sustainable, and more secure. Beyondchip R&D, we combine nanotechnologyexpertisewith data and AIcapabilities to accelerate applications across industry andsociety.imec’score facilitiesare located inLeuven,Belgium, with strong R&D footprints in Eindhoven, Wageningen, Nijmegen, Ghentandadditionalglobal locations including the US.

Role & Strategic Mandate

To strengthen imec NL’s positioning in the NLDefencesector,we are seeking an interim (Senior) Partnership Manager withDefenceexperiencefor a period of 6 to 9 months. This role will shapestrategic entry by imecin this sector in the Netherlands, build the right (industry) partnerships, andconvert high-valueDefenceopportunities into impactful, technologyprograms.

You will act as a trusted counterpart to selectedindustry partners and defenceorganisations. Your mandate spansstrategic positioning, opportunity development, and project definition —ensuring thatimec’ssemiconductor and deep-tech capabilitiestranslate intoDefence-relevant solutions for both near-term and long-termneeds.

This consultancy assignment reports to the BusinessLine Director of the sector Aerospace & Security and the Regional ManagingDirector imec NL.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Positioning

• Position imec in the Netherlands as a key semiconductor and deep-tech partner forleadingDefenceindustrialorganisations in NL(e.g.,Thales, NEDAERO/Patria, Rheinmetall, Airbus, etc.).

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management

• Manage high-level relationships withDefence (industry) stakeholders.
• Coordinate internal imecexpertisecenters and external technology partners.

Opportunity & Lead Generation

• Proactively generate thefirst strategic leads inNL that convert into paidDefencepartnerships and funded innovationprograms.

Project Definition & Delivery

• Shape, scope, and structure complex multi-partner projects — including timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment.

Key Requirements

Experience & Education

• MSc or PhD in Engineering or equivalent; strong coordination, program, orsystems-engineeringorientation.
• 5+ years of program or project management in international or cross-functional environments.
• Demonstratedexperience running complex, multi-partner projects.
• EU27 nationality and able to undergoDefence-related security screening.

Defence & Technology Expertise

• Minimum 3–5 years ofDefence-domain experience (Ministry ofDefence,Defenceindustry, integrators, or reservist background).
• EstablishedDefencenetwork with the ability to open doors across stakeholders and decision-makers (DMU).
• Familiarity with semiconductor technology andDefenceapplications (preferred).
• Experience with major innovation/funding programs is an asset.

Core Competencies

• Strategic, proactive, and hands-on; strong systems thinking.
• Excellent stakeholder influence skills across multi-levelDefenceenvironments.
• Ability to balance ahelicopterperspectivewhile engaging deep into technical subdomains.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and organizational capabilities.
• Fluent in Dutch and English (French/German are a plus).

This role based in the Netherlands with frequent travel to imec HQ in Leuven.