Director of Mission Development

In this role, you will navigate evolving priorities, incomplete information, and shifting operational needs, turning ambiguity into clarity. As the Director of Mission Development, you'll lead the charge in defining mission-critical problems, identifying innovative solutions, and ensuring that our customers in defence and public safety achieve their strategic objectives.

You'll operate with a high degree of autonomy, setting technical direction and executing with mínimal oversight. This means proactively tackling challenges, developing resilient solutions, and fostering seamless communication across teams. You will lead the design and implementation of mission-focused software deployments, working closely with stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg), the Bundeswehr, and trusted industry partners to strengthen Germany's national and European security posture.

**Your mission**:Get Auterion's advanced software into the hands of real-world users. Identify Bundeswehr units or federal agencies facing challenges our technology can solve, then lead the deployment of our solutions in support of their operational goals.

**Responsibilities and Duties**
- Identify strategic opportunities to enhance defence and security capabilities, ensuring alignment with Germany's national defence objectives and emerging threat scenarios.
- Engage with operational units, government stakeholders (e.g., BAAINBw, BMI, BSI), and defence industry partners to build relationships, secure funding, and navigate regulatory frameworks.
- Communicate the value of Auterion's technology to partners and customers. Help them work through complex procurement, contracting, and budgetary processes to initiate pilot projects or broader deployments.
- Ensure high-level visibility of pilot successes and operational impact across the BMVg and Bundeswehr command structures. Co-develop scalable roadmaps to evolve these pilots into long-term programmes.
- Influence technical and architectural decisions at the organisational level to ensure scalability and mission success.
- Support the development of industry best practices, standards, and—where appropriate—contribute to the open-source ecosystem.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, security, and design teams to build robust, secure, and user-focused solutions.
- Provide input into product strategy and roadmap based on direct mission feedback and frontline user requirements.

**Qualifications and Skills**
- **Technical expertise**: Solid background in software engineering and systems architecture. Prior experience as a Systems Engineer, Technical Program Manager, or related role in software development is highly valued.
- **Defence & public sector experience**: You've worked with government or military customers, understand their operational environments, and have supported solution delivery across defence programmes in Germany or other NATO countries.
- **Pre-sales and technical stakeholder engagement**: You're comfortable translating complex technologies into user value, and guiding senior stakeholders through evaluation and implementation.
- **Mission domain insight**: You have first-hand experience in the German defence or public security environment—whether from Bundeswehr service, government contracting, or relevant industry roles.
- **Autonomous & proactive**: You take ownership, move with urgency, and thrive in uncertain or ambiguous situations.
- **Adaptable & collaborative**: A true team player, ready to step into multiple roles to ensure customer and company success.
- **Security clearance**: Existing German security clearance strongly preferred, or eligibility and willingness to obtain one.

**Benefits**
- Flexible working hours
- Stock Options
- Generous holiday allowance
- Pension plan
- Extended social security package
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave
- Learning and development opportunities

**About Auterion**

We are building the leading software platform for AI-powered autonomous systems for enterprise and government customers. Our team is supporting the most important missions and solving the most challenging problems.

At Auterion, we bring together the sharpest minds who love to solve the hardest problems. Join a vibrant team built on innovation, openness, and excellence, where you'll be empowered to develop ideas, collaborate across all levels, and make an impact that matters.