Program Manager, Autonomous Robotic Systems EMEA

AI overview

Drive customer project success in autonomous robotic systems by managing cross-functional teams and delivering high-quality outcomes on complex defense projects.

To drive our growth strategy in the dynamic market of autonomous robotic systems in defense we’re looking for a Program Manager who will be responsible for the delivery of customer proposals and projects. In this position you will have a significant contribution to the growth of the company. You will manage a portfolio of projects and will be accountable for delivering winning proposals and customer projects in-time, in-cost and to full customer satisfaction. This requires a holistic approach to project management covering all major disciplines tailored to the respective project sizes. In this role you will be customer facing and lead internal bid-/project teams across the Auterion organization.

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Manage a portfolio of medium to large customer programs focused on autonomous robotic systems, from contract award through delivery and sustainment.
  • Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, integration, manufacturing, and testing to deliver complex HW/SW systems on time and within budget.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk registers using agile and traditional PM methodologies.
  • Coordinate with internal teams, OEM partners, and customers to align program goals, resolve issues, and ensure high-quality outcomes.
  • Oversee program financials including cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and tracking of financial performance.
  • Prepare and lead responses to customer RFIs and RFPs, ensuring technical accuracy, strategic alignment, and competitive positioning.
  • Ensure compliance with defense and aerospace standards, including export controls and cybersecurity requirements.
  • Drive continuous improvement and contribute to the product and technology roadmap with feedback from program execution.
  • Support logistics planning for hardware deliveries, field trials, and system deployment.

Qualifications and Skills

  • MSc, MEng or MBA with strong technical background in autonomous robotic systems
  • 5+ years experience in defense, aerospace or related industries
  • Experience and/or willing to work in a start-up environment
  • Experience in managing portfolios of medium to large sized projects consisting of solution engineering, HW-/SW delivery, customization and integration content
  • Competence in methodologies and tools for (agile) project planning and scheduling contract- and risk management
  • Experience in RFI / RFP processes and respective customer offer and proposal elaboration
  • Strong leadership and communication skills
  • Strongly customer orientated and performance driven
  • EU Citizenship required

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.

Perks & Benefits Extracted with AI

  • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible working hours
  • Learning Budget: Learning and development opportunities
  • Extended social security package: Extended social security package
  • Paid Parental Leave: Enhanced maternity & paternity leave

Auterion is the drone software platform built for enterprise that makes large-scale drone operations simple, safe and fully integrated in workflows. We’ve been on the same mission for over a decade, beginning with Pixhawk in 2008 and the revolutionary PX4 software created by our co-founder Lorenz Meier; today the world’s most widely used open-source drone autopilot operating system.  Our mission is to be the drone platform of choice for enterprise, government and drone manufacturers, while accelerating the drone industry by driving forward open standards to create a common, future-proof roadmap in a thriving, open ecosystem of buyers and vendors.  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.  With offices in California, USA, and Zurich, Switzerland, we offer a competitive salary, equity incentives, generous vacation, retirement and healthcare plans, flexible working, continuous development to widen your horizons, endless opportunities to have fun with a lively team, and the chance to fly a lot of drones. we’ve raised $25M in venture-backed funding from investors such as Lakestar, Mosaic Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, and Tectonic Ventures. Our global customers include General Electric (GE) Aviation, Quantum Systems, Impossible Aerospace, and the U.S. Department of Defense. We’ve raised $25M in venture-backed funding from investors such as Lakestar, Mosaic Ventures, Costanoa Ventures, and Tectonic Ventures. Our global customers include General Electric (GE) Aviation, Quantum Systems, Impossible Aerospace, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

View all jobs
Get hired quicker

Be the first to apply. Receive an email whenever similar jobs are posted.

Ace your job interview

Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.

Program Manager Q&A's
Report this job
Apply for this job