Senior 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 Senior 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 - Win, shape, and deliver defence programmes from early engagement through execution, owning outcomes end to end. - Act as a market-facing leader, managing customer relationships with military, government, and defence stakeholders. - Translate customer needs, operational context, and policy drivers into clear programme plans and delivery priorities. - Lead programme execution across internal teams and partners, maintaining momentum, clarity, and accountability. - Balance commercial, technical, and delivery realities, making hard trade-offs when required. - Develop and articulate thought leadership, concept papers, and programme narratives that influence customers and partners. - Support business development by identifying opportunities, shaping bids, and converting interest into funded work. - Represent Hypersonica with credibility, discipline, and mission focus in high-stakes customer environments. ### Who you are - A programme or delivery professional with 5+ years’ experience in defence, aerospace, policy, or adjacent high-consequence sectors. - Comfortable operating in market-facing roles, with real exposure to customers, partners, or stakeholders. - Fluent native-level German and fluent English, comfortable operating in bilingual, cross cultural defence environments. - Commercially minded, with experience balancing delivery, growth, and customer trust. - Prior military service or close operational exposure is a strong advantage. - Able to operate confidently with senior customers, not just internally. - Clear thinker and strong writer, capable of producing credible programme narratives and thought pieces. - Thrives in high-ownership environments where accountability is real and visibility is high. - Motivated by building and delivering real capability, not managing process or maintaining status. ### 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.