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 end to end delivery of complex programmes across the UK, with full accountability for schedule, cost, technical progress, and customer outcomes. - Translate contracts, customer intent, and military requirements into executable delivery plans that prioritise speed, learning, and iteration. - Lead cross functional teams across engineering, operations, supply chain, and test, driving alignment, decision making, and rapid issue resolution. - Act as the primary interface with UK MoD customers, DE&S delivery teams, and partners, maintaining clarity on objectives, milestones, risks, and tradeoffs. - Govern programme execution through clear milestones, critical paths, and data driven reporting; focusing on what actually moves delivery forward. - Manage suppliers and subcontractors with a bias toward pace, accountability, and results, not legacy procurement overhead. - Own programme level risk management, identifying issues early and driving decisive mitigation rather than deferring to governance forums. - Lead commercial and delivery negotiations within programme scope, balancing contractual obligations with technical and schedule reality. - Prepare and present concise, high signal programme updates and reviews for customers and internal leadership. - Champion continuous improvement in programme execution, actively stripping out unnecessary process, friction, and delay. - Build and reinforce a high ownership programme culture where problems surface early, decisions are made quickly, and delivery is the measure of success. ### Who you are - A programme or project professional with 5 years’ experience in defence, aerospace, policy, or similarly high-consequence environments. - Experienced working with the UK MoD and DE&S, including procurement, compliance, and delivery within live programmes. - Comfortable owning budgets, schedules, and risk, and making hard trade-offs under delivery pressure. - A track record of leading commercial and delivery negotiations within active defence programmes. - Able to operate confidently between government customers and private sector engineering teams, translating intent into executable action. - Proven at coordinating cross-functional teams and external suppliers to deliver outcomes, not activity. - Capable of producing clear, decision-grade programme reporting for senior stakeholders. - Motivated by building, testing, and delivering real capability, not managing process. ### 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.