Why This Role Stands Out
This leadership role offers a unique opportunity to directly impact the development and deployment of cutting-edge autonomous systems, shaping product direction and driving growth within a rapidly expanding company. If you excel at bridging the gap between advanced technology and real-world operational needs, and enjoy building strong relationships with end-users, this is an exciting path for you. Apply to lead the mission operations team and contribute to SE3's impactful mission.
Quick Overview
Job Description
Join SE3 Labs as Director Mission Operations
Take SE3's autonomous systems from the test range into the hands of military units, and turn what you learn there into product direction and awarded programmes.
About SE3
SE3 Labs builds spatial intelligence and autonomy software for unmanned systems. We combine 3D computer vision, state estimation and AI to help autonomous platforms perceive their surroundings, know where they are and operate when GPS and other sensors become unreliable. Defence is a core application of our work today.
We are growing to a team of 100+ people. Join at a stage where you can shape our Mission Operations team, help build the team and grow your responsibilities as the company expands.
About the Role
As Director Mission Operations, you'll own the operational thread that connects SE3's autonomous systems and Spatial AI capability to the people who use them in the field. You'll design and run the exercises that prove our systems in realistic conditions, act as the primary interface to military end-users, and work closely with our engineering, product and commercial teams while travelling frequently across Europe and other strategic markets. The role sits where operations, engineering and commercial meet: your job is to convert operational credibility into awarded programmes.
What You'll Work On
User Engagement: Act as SE3's primary interface to military end-users. Build trusted relationships with operational units and translate their needs into requirements the company can act on.
Exercise Programme Design: Design and develop our exercise programme, including scenarios, objectives and the build-up of complexity from component trials through to large-scale, multi-system exercises.
Exercise Delivery: Run exercises that prove our autonomous systems and Spatial AI in realistic conditions, and capture what they reveal about performance and operational value.
Operational Assessment: Apply a deep technical understanding of military systems in software-defined defence to assess fit, integration and operational value for each user and use case.
Product Direction: Feed operational insight directly into the product roadmap so that what we build matches how systems are actually employed.
Programme Development: Identify and develop programmes that arise from operational engagement, and work with the commercial team to convert them into awarded work.
Your Profile
You take ownership of outcomes and remove obstacles to delivery without waiting for direction. You turn discussions into clear decisions and decisions into deliverables, and you hold yourself and the team to a consistently high standard.
You bring significant experience in military operations or capability development, ideally as a serving or former officer or in an operational role with a defence supplier.
You have a strong technical understanding of software-defined defence systems, autonomy or adjacent domains, and engage credibly with both engineers and operators.
You're a confident operator across cultures, able to communicate and negotiate with senior military and industry stakeholders.
You're willing to travel frequently across Europe and into other strategic markets where SE3 operates.
You speak native-level German and have full professional fluency in English, written and spoken. Given the nature of SE3's work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and hold the security clearance required for this role.
Especially Valued Bonus Skills
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.
Perks & Benefits
Real Ownership: Participate in SE3's growth through our employee participation programme
Work Environment to Excel at: Find a high-quality and modern toolset, flat hierarchy and a skilled, driven team which will push the limits together with you
AI-boosted workplace: We empower every employee with best-in-class AI tools and agents, giving you unlimited access to the latest advancements and a true productivity edge
31 Paid Days Off: 30 vacation days plus your birthday off
Well-being Access: Free membership to gyms, yoga, and wellness through EGYM Wellpass
Team Offsites: We go on 2 company retreats per year, our last ones were in Italy and Greece
Mentorship: Work closely with experienced engineers and get paired with a professional mentor to support your growth
Our Process
Intro Call (30 min): Let's get to know each other.
Take Home Task: We will share a problem we’ve encountered to understand more about how you approach problems.
Deep-Dive Interview (1 hr): We dive into your operational background, your view of software-defined defence and autonomy, and how you have turned user engagement into requirements and programmes.
Team Dinner / Lunch: Meet the team and see whether it is a strong fit on both sides.