Defence Manager

About FOSSA

At FOSSA, we're redefining how the world connects. As a leading space engineering and telecommunications company, we specialize in developing and deploying space technologies that enable a new era of communications. With a team of over +50 talented professionals, we've already launched +25 satellites and are actively building a next-generation satellite constellation to deliver cost-effective, cutting-edge connectivity where it's needed most.

With headquarters in Madrid and an R&D center in Lisbon, FOSSA is at the forefront of innovation in satellite manufacturing, operations, and IoT connectivity.

Role Overview

FOSSA is seeking a Defence Manager to drive commercial development of defence and dual-use opportunities across NATO, EU, and international institutional markets.

This role sits between defence strategy, institutional business development, and technical-commercial execution, focused on identifying, shaping, and capturing programmes related to satellite communications, RF awareness, and sovereign space infrastructure.

This is not a traditional sales role, but a programme-shaping commercial position working at the intersection of customers, institutions, and engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, track, and qualify defence and security opportunities across NATO, EU (EDF, EDA), national Ministries of Defence, and allied institutions.
• Map procurement routes, capability roadmaps, funding mechanisms, tenders, and operational experimentation programmes.
• Build and manage capture strategies for selected defence and dual-use opportunities.
• Translate operational defence needs into structured opportunity briefs and internal execution plans.
• Support preparation of RFIs, RFPs, white papers, concept notes, and defence proposals.
• Work with Engineering and Product teams to align customer requirements with FOSSA capabilities and mission architectures.
• Position FOSSA in defence forums, capability development groups, and institutional ecosystems.
• Develop and maintain relationships with defence agencies, primes, integrators, and institutional stakeholders.
• Define go-to-market narratives for NATO, EU, national defence bodies, and industry partners.
• Support bid/no-bid decisions, partner strategies, and competitive positioning.
• Ensure smooth transition from capture phase to programme execution.

Profile

• 5-10 years of experience in defence, space, telecom, ISR, electronic warfare, or dual-use technology sectors.
• Strong understanding of NATO and EU defence ecosystems (EDF, EDA, MoDs, procurement frameworks).
• Experience with defence procurement, tenders, or institutional programme development.
• Ability to translate technical systems into operational and commercial value.
• Strong writing skills for proposals, briefs, and executive-level documents.
• Commercial judgement and structured thinking in complex environments.
• Ability to engage credibly with defence stakeholders and technical teams.
• Fluent English (additional European languages are a plus).
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Valuable Experience

• Previous exposure to NATO, EDA, EU defence programmes, or national defence organisations.
• Work with defence primes, aerospace companies, system integrators, or space agencies.
• Background in satellite communications, RF systems, secure networks, or space systems.
• Experience in operational experimentation, CapTechs, or multinational defence programmes.
• Familiarity with export control or sovereign capability environments.
• Existing network in defence or institutional ecosystems.

Why FOSSA?

• Join a leading European NewSpace company shaping sovereign dual-use LEO capabilities.
• Work directly on real defence programmes moving from concept to operational deployment.
• High-impact role bridging institutional customers and cutting-edge engineering teams.
• Strong autonomy in defining capture strategy and market positioning.
• Fast-growing environment at the intersection of space, defence, and secure communications.

FOSSA values ownership, clarity, and the ability to turn complex institutional needs into executable programmes.

Location: Las Rozas, Madrid.

Type: Full-time, permanent contract