Programme Manager

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply.

Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential.

You can apply directly to this role or reach out to Nathan Sweeney, Head of Talent. We review every application and aim to respond to all candidates within two weeks, whether the answer is yes or no.