Director - Mission Operations

SE3 Labs builds spatial intelligence and autonomy software for unmanned systems, combining 3D computer vision, state estimation and AI so autonomous platforms can perceive their surroundings, know where they are and operate when GPS and other sensors become unreliable. Defence is a core application. The Director Mission Operations owns the operational link between SE3's autonomous systems and Spatial AI capability and the people who use them in the field, designing and running exercises, acting as the primary interface to military end-users, and working with engineering, product and commercial teams while travelling frequently across Europe and other strategic markets. The hiring process consists of an intro call (30 min), a take-home task, a deep-dive interview (1 hr) and a team dinner or lunch.

Responsibilities

Act as the primary interface to military end-users and build trusted relationships with operational units; Translate user needs into requirements the company can act on; Design and develop the exercise programme, including scenarios, objectives and build-up of complexity from component trials to large-scale, multi-system exercises; Run exercises that prove autonomous systems and Spatial AI in realistic conditions and capture performance and operational value; Assess fit, integration and operational value of systems for each user and use case; Feed operational insight into the product roadmap; Identify and develop programmes arising from operational engagement and work with the commercial team to convert them into awarded work

Requirements

Significant experience in military operations or capability development, ideally as a serving or former officer or in an operational role with a defence supplier; Strong technical understanding of software-defined defence systems, autonomy or adjacent domains; Ability to engage credibly with both engineers and operators; Confident operator across cultures, able to communicate and negotiate with senior military and industry stakeholders; Willingness to travel frequently across Europe and into other strategic markets; Native-level German and full professional fluency in English, written and spoken; Eligibility to obtain and hold the security clearance required for the role; Takes ownership of outcomes and removes obstacles to delivery without waiting for direction

Nice to have

Experience planning or running military exercises, trials or experimentation campaigns involving unmanned or autonomous systems; Familiarity with defence procurement and how operational trials turn into funded programmes; An established network across European armed forces, procurement agencies or defence innovation units; Experience in NATO or other multinational exercise environments

Benefits

Employee participation programme; Flat hierarchy and modern toolset; AI-boosted workplace with access to AI tools and agents; 31 paid days off (30 vacation days plus birthday off); Free membership to gyms, yoga and wellness through EGYM Wellpass; Two company retreats per year; Mentorship with an experienced engineer and a professional mentor