Strategic Defense Programs Lead

Destinus; Hengelo; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Destinus is seeking a Defense Program Manager in the Netherlands to lead complex defence programmes from development through testing, qualification, certification and delivery. You will coordinate with customers, engineering, operations, testing and leadership teams to keep programmes moving and aligned with requirements.

You will build trusted relationships with external stakeholders, translate requirements into clear priorities, and manage scope, milestones and risks while representing

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing complex defence, military, aerospace or advanced technology programmes.
• Experience with interceptors, strike systems, missiles or related defence tech.
• Experience taking military/defence systems through development, testing, qualification and certification.
• Strong understanding of defence programme environments, including technical, regulatory and operational requirements.
• Good technical understanding and ability to work with engineering/product development teams.
• Strong programme management capabilities across planning, risk, stakeholders and cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to communicate with senior customer stakeholders and highly technical teams.
• Fluency in Dutch and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex defence programmes, owning execution, planning and delivery.
• Build trusted relationships with customers and external stakeholders, aligning requirements with internal teams.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across engineering, operations, testing, production and other functions.
• Translate customer and operational requirements into clear priorities for technical teams.
• Manage scope, milestones, dependencies, risks, budgets and deliverables.
• Drive programmes through development, testing, qualification and certification stages.
• Ensure alignment between customer expectations, operations and engineering development.
• Identify risks early and implement practical solutions across domains.
• Represent Destinus in meetings with government, military, industry and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to strengthening Destinus’ position within the European defence ecosystem.

Skills

Defence programme management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional coordination

Customer interface

Risk management

Planning and scheduling

Technical understanding

Dutch and English fluency

Job description

Destinus is seeking a Defense Program Manager in the Netherlands to lead complex defence programmes from development through testing, qualification, certification and delivery. You will coordinate with customers, engineering, operations, testing and leadership teams to keep programmes moving and aligned with requirements.

You will build trusted relationships with external stakeholders, translate requirements into clear priorities, and manage scope, milestones and risks while representing