Programme Manager

Job description

**Help Build Europe's Hypersonic Capability** At **Hypersonica**, we’re redefining what’s possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast. As our Programme Manager, you’re not stepping into a predefined role. You’re joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously. We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you’ve achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn’t fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe’s technological independence. ### What you'll do - Own day-to-day delivery of defence programmes or major workstreams, with responsibility for schedule, coordination, and execution. - Translate customer requirements and contractual inputs into clear plans, milestones, and priorities that teams can execute against. - Work directly with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders, supporting meetings, reviews, and delivery discussions. - Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and external suppliers to keep programmes moving at pace. - Track progress, risks, and dependencies, surfacing issues early and driving resolution rather than escalation. - Support commercial and programme activities, including change control, delivery planning, and customer reporting. - Prepare clear, concise programme materials that enable fast, high-quality decisions. - Learn by doing: operating close to real customers, real constraints, and real delivery pressure. ### Who you are - A programme or project professional with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in defence, aerospace, policy, or similarly high-consequence environments. - Comfortable operating between analysis and execution, not confined to either. - Fluent native-level German and fluent English, able to work confidently in bilingual, cross-cultural defence settings. - Some exposure to customer-facing work, even if not yet the primary owner. - Organised, structured, and reliable under pressure, with growing confidence in owning delivery outcomes. - Curious about how programmes actually succeed; commercially, technically, and organisationally. - Motivated by responsibility and progression, not static roles or narrow task ownership. - Energised by working in a small, fast-moving team where learning is accelerated and performance is visible. ### What we offer - A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security. - Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow. - High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes. - A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions. - A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly. - Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.