TECHNICAL PROGRAMME MANAGER

JOIN THE SURGE

At Surge Marine we dont build PowerPoint programmes. We build the next generation of high-performance autonomous maritime systems and we need a Technical Programme Manager (TPM) who wants to guide complex systems from architectural design directly into the waterfrom day one.

We are a lean agile team at the intersection of European defence technology and deep-sea autonomy. If you are tired of managing processes for their own sake and want to technically steer the development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and long-range semi-submersible platforms you belong here. You wont just track schedules; you will be the technical and operational backbone of the team working side-by-side with software engineers hardware designers and naval experts to solve hard engineering problems and deliver real-world hardware.

Tasks

THE MISSION

As our Technical Programme Manager you are the connective tissue between complex system engineering and program execution. You will own the technical delivery lifecycle for our autonomous underwater and surface platformsguiding them from early-stage system architecture and requirements definition through integration field-testing sea trials and final customer acceptance.

This is not a passive status-update role. You will dive deep into technical risk resolve integration bottlenecks manage complex subsystem dependencies and make high-stakes real-time trade-off decisions between engineering scope schedule and cost. You will be the authoritative technical and operational voice representing our platforms to major defence prime contractors ministries of defence and European funding bodies.

YOUR IMPACT

Technical Execution & Delivery: Own the end-to-end engineering roadmap and program schedule. Translate high-level operational requirements into concrete technical milestones and drive execution across hardware software and autonomy teams.

Systems Integration & Sea Trials: Actively lead the planning and execution of system-level integration and field testing. You will stand on the pier (and the vessels) driving the engineering team through troubleshooting sea trials and validation in real-world environments.

Engineering Alignment & Trade-Offs: Bridge the gap between specialized engineering disciplines. Own the programs technical risk register and make the hard calls on SWaP-C (Size Weight Power and Cost) trade-offs system constraints and technical debt.

Technical Bid Leadership: Spearhead the technical architecture and proposal writing for high-value EDF PESCO and national MoD bids. Translate complex operational needs into executable technical proposals.

Contractual & Interface Governance: Author and manage technical Statements of Work (SOWs) Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and acceptance criteria with prime contractors and technical partners. Guard Surge Marines intellectual property and technical integrity.

Process Evolution: Establish lightweight high-impact systems engineering and configuration management frameworks that scale with Surge Marine without slowing down engineering velocity.

Requirements

WHO YOU ARE

You are a battle-tested engineer who has transitioned into leadership or a highly technical program manager who can go toe-to-toe with senior robotics software and mechanical engineers. You speak system architecture as fluently as you speak milestone planning. You understand that in maritime defence an unmitigated technical risk doesnt just slip a Gantt chartit sinks hardware. You thrive at the intersection of startup agility and the rigorous discipline required to build mission-critical sea-going military technology.

THE ESSENTIALS

Technical Foundation: A Bachelors or Masters degree in Systems Engineering Robotics Aerospace Electrical/Mechanical Engineering Naval Architecture or a closely related technical field.

Experience: 2 years of experience in technical project/programme management systems engineering leadership or engineering management within defence aerospace robotics or maritime technology.

Domain Fluency: Hands-on experience with unmanned systems autonomous vehicles robotics or complex marine platforms operating in GPS-degraded acoustic-limited or contested environments.

Systems Engineering Depth: Solid understanding of the V-model MBSE requirements traceability and system-level verification and validation (V&V).

Procurement & Defence Frameworks: Familiarity with managing technical requirements under EU (EDF PESCO) NATO or national MoD frameworks including technical milestone reviews (SRR PDR CDR).

Communication & Travel: Fluent in English (Dutch is strongly preferred; other EU languages are a major plus). Outstanding ability to translate complex engineering concepts into clear executive briefings. Willingness to travel 2540% for integration events customer sites and sea trials.

Security & Nationality: Dutch nationality is preferred; other NATO-country nationals are welcome. Existing security clearance or clear eligibility for national vetting (e.g. Veiligheidsonderzoek / NATO SECRET) is essential.

Nice to Have

Former naval or military technology officer background.

Experience running AUV/USV field operations maritime sensor integration or acoustic communication networks.

Practical knowledge of functional safety marine classification standards or military environmental standards (e.g. MIL-STD STANAG).

Benefits

THE SURGE OFFER

We dont offer corporate fluff. We offer a defining program that will shape European maritime autonomy for the next decade.

Competitive Salary: Benchmarked against senior technical and program leadership roles in the Dutch defence-tech sector.

Equity / Options: Own a piece of the capability you help design and build.

True Flexibility: Unmanned Valley home base with flexible hybrid options. We measure operational outcomes and technical breakthroughs not desk time.

Unlimited Growth: As our platform portfolio scales so does this role. The path to Head of Programmes or VP of Engineering is yours to build.

Adventure: Sea trials are your milestone. When we put systems in the water youre leading from the pier.

READY TO TAKE COMMAND