Program Manager

Destinus; Hengelo, Katwijk; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Program Manager to lead strategically important aerospace programs. You will own the full lifecycle, drive financial performance, mitigate risks, and build strong customer relationships across engineering, production, and supply chain.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensure on-time, on-budget delivery, and align programs with business objectives. Fluency in English is essential; additional European languages are advantageous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Aerospace, Industrial Management, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in Program Management, Senior Project Management, or Business Management in aerospace/defense/manufacturing or regulated industries.
• Strong P&L management experience with budgeting, forecasting, and profitability responsibilities.
• Experience leading large-scale, international programs with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle of strategic programs from contract award to delivery, ensuring alignment with objectives and capabilities.
• Manage program financial performance including P&L, forecasting, budgeting, cost control, and reporting.
• Develop and execute program strategies balancing customer requirements, technical objectives, and operational constraints.
• Build trusted relationships with customers, government stakeholders, partners, and internal leadership.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks across technical, operational, financial, contractual, and supply chain domains.
• Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, production, procurement, quality, and operations.
• Monitor program performance through KPIs, milestones, and financial metrics; drive corrective actions.
• Support contract negotiations, change management, and commercial discussions throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and governance standards.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Program governance

Communication

Negotiation

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering/Business/Aerospace/Industrial Management

Job description

About the role

Imagine thatyou are leading some of the most complex and strategically important programs in the aerospace and defense industry, balancing customer expectations, business performance, operational execution, and long‑term growth. As a Program Manager atDestinus, you will sit at the intersection of technology, production, finance, and customer success, ensuring that ambitious programs are delivered on time, on budget, and aligned with businessobjectives.

AtDestinus, we are revolutionizing the defense industry withcutting-edgeUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Our innovative technologies are designed to meet the unique demands of modern defense operations, delivering unparalleled speed, precision, and cost effectiveness.Destinuspartners with government agencies and defense organizations worldwide to provide advanced solutions for mission‑critical operations, enabling a new era of efficiency and technological superiority. Join us in shaping the future of defense with groundbreaking aerospace innovations.

This role goes beyond traditional project management. You willbe responsible fordriving program strategy, managing financial performance, mitigating risks, and building strong customer relationships while coordinating multidisciplinary teams across engineering, production, supply chain, and business functions. Your ability to translate complex challenges into actionable plans will directlyimpactthe success of our products and the future growth of the company.

What You’ll Do

• Own the full lifecycle of strategic programs from contract award through delivery, ensuring alignment with businessobjectives, customer expectations, and operational capabilities
• Manage program financial performance, including P&L responsibility, forecasting, budgeting, cost control, margin optimization, and financial reporting
• Develop and execute program strategies that balance customer requirements, technicalobjectives, commercial goals, and operational constraints
• Build trusted relationships with customers, government stakeholders, partners, and internal leadership teams, acting as the primary point of contact for program‑related matters
• Identify, assess, and proactively mitigate program risks across technical, operational, financial, contractual, and supply chain domains
• Lead cross‑functional teams across engineering, production, procurement, quality, and operations to ensure successful program execution
• Monitor program performance through KPIs, milestones, and financial metrics, driving corrective actions when needed
• Support contract negotiations, change management activities, and commercial discussions throughout the program lifecycle
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory requirements, and company governance standards
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance program execution, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor's orMaster's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Aerospace, Industrial Management, or a related field
• Minimum 15 years of experience in Program Management, Senior Project Management, or Business Management roles within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or highly regulated industrial environments
• Strong P&L management experience with proven responsibility for program financial performance, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability
• Demonstrated experience managing large‑scale, complex programs involving multiple stakeholders and international teams
• Deep understanding of risk management methodologies and program governance frameworks
• Strong customer‑facing experience, including executive‑level stakeholder management and contract execution
• Experience working within production and industrial environments, with a solid understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain operations
• Aerospace and defense industry experience is mandatory
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance technical, operational, and financial priorities
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills
• Fluency in English isrequired. Additional European languages are considered an advantage

Who You Are

You are a strategic thinker who understands that successful programs arebuilt onmore than schedules and deliverables. You see the bigger picture, connecting financial performance, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and business growth. You thrive in complex environments where priorities evolvequicklyand decisions have real impact. You arecomfortablechallenging assumptions, managing risk, and navigating uncertainty while keeping teams aligned and focused on results. Most importantly, you take ownership, build trust with stakeholders, and consistently deliver outcomes that create value for both customers and the business.

Why Join Us?

• The Thrill of the Future - Work on cutting‑edge projects that redefine aerospace.
• Global Innovation Hub - Collaborate with top engineers from all over the world.
• Fast‑Paced & High‑Growth - Experience the rush of working in a rapidly expanding company.
• Real Impact - Your work won't be theoretical - it will shape the future of flight.

Destinus is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value diversity in our companies and our teams and do not discriminate based on age, race, religion, color, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

Destinus – Challenge the limits of time, space, and human potential.

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.