Business & operations · All programmes
Business Development Lead, Defence
Open and lead Vaubren’s relationships with European ministries of defence, NATO and industry partners.
About Vaubren
Vaubren is a European defence technology company developing aircraft, command software, sensing and electronic warfare as one integrated system, with a person in command of every use of force. Our engineering team is based in Bulgaria, inside the European Union and NATO.
The role
You will open and manage Vaubren’s relationships with European ministries of defence, NATO agencies, prime contractors and research partners. The hard problem is turning real operational needs into trials, programmes and contracts for a new company, through procurement processes built for established suppliers. You will bring what you hear straight back into the engineering team’s decisions.
Why this role
- You shape the commercial direction of a European defence company from the beginning
- A direct line to the engineers: what customers need changes what we build
- You represent one integrated offer, from sensing to command software, with a person in command of every use of force
What you will do
- Build the pipeline across European defence ministries, NATO agencies and industry, starting with priority markets
- Understand operational needs in counter-drone, surveillance, electronic warfare and command and control, and translate them for engineers
- Lead responses to tenders, trials and funding calls such as the European Defence Fund
- Set up field demonstrations and trials with users, together with the test team
- Build partnerships with prime contractors, integrators and suppliers
- Represent Vaubren at defence events, exercises and customer meetings
What you bring
- Typically 8+ years in defence business development, capture, procurement or programme management
- A trusted network across European defence ministries, NATO or industry
- A record of winning competitive defence bids or programmes
- Clear writing for proposals and technical documents
- Willingness to travel across Europe, and eligibility for national security vetting
If you meet most of these points but not all, we still encourage you to apply.
Nice to have
- Military or government service
- Experience with NATO or EU funding programmes
- Knowledge of counter-drone or electronic warfare procurement
- Languages beyond English, such as Bulgarian, German or Polish
Working at Vaubren
- A full-time role in Bulgaria, inside the European Union and NATO
- Work across the whole system, from design review to field test
- Small teams with real ownership of their work
- Relocation discussed with each candidate
- Responsibilities, compensation and start date agreed in writing
How we hire
- 01
Application
Apply for a role or send an open application. Every application is reviewed by the team that is hiring.
- 02
First conversation
A call about your experience, the role and what you are looking for.
- 03
Technical interviews
A discussion of your past work and a practical problem drawn from the role.
- 04
Meet the team
Meet the people you would work with, in person in Bulgaria where possible.
- 05
Offer
Responsibilities, compensation and start date, agreed in writing.
Security and eligibility
Some roles involve work that is subject to security vetting and export control. Where a role requires it, we explain the process early, and an offer may depend on eligibility for national security clearance. You do not need a clearance to apply.
Vaubren is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from everyone with the skills for the role, whatever their background. If you need an adjustment during the hiring process, tell us and we will make it.