Programme Manager

Have delivered complex, multi-stakeholder programmes in the French aerospace and defence sector — and can point to the outcomes you drove, not just the plans you wrote

Have operated at the interface of strategy and execution — comfortable building a programme plan from first principles and equally comfortable getting into the weeds when delivery is at risk

Bring a rigorous academic foundation in engineering, technology or business, combined with professional experience in a high-performance environment (strategy consulting, defence prime or equivalent)

Communicate with precision and credibility in both French and English — able to represent Helsing at senior customer and government levels in both languages

Are eligible to obtain French national defence security clearance ( Habilitation à l'accès au secret de la défense nationale ), a requirement for this role given its engagement with classified programmes and government counterparts

Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

Direct experience working within or alongside the DGA (e.g., as an ingénieur de l'armement, on secondment, or as a close industrial partner)

Understand how the DGA and the broader French MoD acquisition ecosystem works from the inside: its processes, its culture, its decision-making rhythms and its key institutional actors

Exposure to AI, software or dual-use technology programmes — particularly in the context of integration with legacy defence platforms or C2 systems

Experience supporting or leading bids and proposals in the French defence procurement environment

A network across France's aerospace and defence industrial base (primes, ETIs and key subcontractors)

Helsing’s work is important. You’ll be directly contributing to the protection of democratic countries while balancing both ethical and geopolitical concerns.

The work is unique. We operate in a domain that has highly unusual technical requirements and constraints, and where robustness, safety, and ethical considerations are vital. You will face unique Engineering and AI challenges that make a meaningful impact in the world.

Our work frequently takes us right up to the state of the art in technical innovation, be it reinforcement learning, distributed systems, generative AI, or deployment infrastructure. The defence industry is entering the most exciting phase of the technological development curve. Advances in our field of world are not incremental: Helsing is part of, and often leading, historic leaps forward.

In our domain, success is a matter of order-of-magnitude improvements and novel capabilities. This means we take bets, aim high, and focus on big opportunities. Despite being a relatively young company, Helsing has already been selected for multiple significant government contracts.

We actively encourage healthy, proactive, and diverse debate internally about what we do and how we choose to do it. Teams and individual engineers are trusted (and encouraged) to practise responsible autonomy and critical thinking, and to focus on outcomes, not conformity. At Helsing you will have a say in how we (and you!) work, the opportunity to engage on what does and doesn’t work, and to take ownership of aspects of our culture that you care deeply about.

Competitive salary and VSOP options

Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation

Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance

Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health)

Social: regularly company events and monthly social allowances

Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers & 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.

Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work

These are the core benefits across all locations, there may be additional benefits in certain locations.

Helsing is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.