Join Airbus Defence and Space in Getafe, Spain, as the Head of A400M Services Spain and High-intensity Conflict Project Leader. In this permanent, hybrid role, you will lead end-to-end customer support, fleet availability, and P&L performance for the Spanish A400M fleet while spearheading high-intensity conflict transformation strategies in an international defense environment.
Requirements
Master’s degree in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering, plus postgraduate education in Defense Policy, Geopolitics, International Affairs, or a Defense College graduation.
20+ years of progressive leadership in aerospace engineering, military fleet lifecycle management, and strategic planning.
Demonstrated experience in multinational defense governance, export/program coordination, and defense diplomacy.
Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Native Spanish proficiency and full professional proficiency in English; French proficiency is highly desirable.
Skills & Responsibilities
Fleet Management & P&L: Maintain full operational and financial accountability for the in-service support, entry into service programs, and operational readiness for the Spanish A400M fleet.
Strategic Defense Alignment: Align fleet support solutions and preparedness frameworks with Spanish and European Defense Policy guidelines and NATO interoperability standards.
International Relations: Act as the primary high-level strategic focal point bridging industry, national ministries of defense, and international armament agencies.
Contract Governance: Oversee the development, negotiation, and execution of complex, multimillion-euro multinational support contracts.
Potential transition routes: People from senior military aviation program management, defense diplomacy, or aerospace executive leadership roles may bring relevant transferable skills, alongside meeting the mandatory engineering, language, and leadership requirements.
Job description
Job Description:
An opportunity for a Military Fleet In-Service Support & Strategic Readiness Lead has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).
The selected candidate will join the Military Aircraft Services Team. The department is in charge of leading end-to-end customer support, fleet availability, mission readiness, and overall P&L performance for the Spanish A400M fleet, including the Entry into Service of new aircraft. Operating in a highly strategic, multidisciplinary, and international defense environment, the team is also spearheading the transformation of Airbus Defence and Space support models for High-Intensity Conflict (HIC) scenarios. The jobholder will operate at the intersection of operational engineering, industrial execution, and defense diplomacy, ensuring strategic alignment between national defense doctrines, allied armed forces, and multinational procurement bodies such as OCCAR and NATO agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Defense Alignment & Geopolitics: Align fleet support solutions and preparedness frameworks with current Spanish and European Defense Policy guidelines, NATO interoperability standards, and multinational defense strategies.
International Institutional Relations: Act as the primary high-level strategic focal point bridging industry, national ministries of defense, and international armament agencies, managing bilateral and multilateral stakeholder dynamics.
A400M Fleet Management & P&L: Maintain full operational and financial accountability for the complete portfolio of in-service support, entry into service programs, and operational readiness for the Spanish customer.
Strategic Readiness for High-Intensity Conflict (HIC): Steer cross-functional transformation programs across Airbus D&S to guarantee operational resilience, sovereign capability assurance, and rapid-response readiness in volatile geopolitical environments.
Multilateral Contract Governance: Oversee the development, negotiation, and execution of complex, multimillion-euro multinational support contracts, harmonizing the differing operational priorities of participating nations and joint programs.
Regulatory Compliance & Airworthiness: Guarantee total operational compliance with military airworthiness standards, CAMO provisions, and international defense quality assurance benchmarks.
SKILLS
Education: Master’s degree in Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering. Postgraduate education in Defense Policy, Geopolitics, International Affairs, or graduation from a recognized Joint Staff / Defense College .
Professional Background: 20+ years of progressive leadership combining aerospace engineering, military fleet lifecycle management, and high-level strategic planning. Substantial background interfacing with decision-making bodies within Ministries of Defense, Air Staff planning divisions, and international defense agencies.
International & Multilateral Experience: Demonstrated direct exposure to multinational defense governance models, intergovernmental defense bodies, and joint procurement frameworks (e.g., OCCAR, NAHEMA, NATO agencies, etc...).Proven capability in defense diplomacy: handling multinational export/program coordination, cross-border defense negotiations, and building consensus across allied nations.
Technical & Strategic Acumen: Comprehensive understanding of military airworthiness certification , Government Quality Assurance , and Integrated Logistic Support in operational military contexts. Broad strategic understanding of major European military aviation platforms, specifically heavy transport aircraft (A400M) and multi-role tactical systems.
Certifications: Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Languages: Native Spanish. Full professional working proficiency in English . Working proficiency in French, highly desirable for multinational program coordination
WHICH BENEFITS WILL YOU HAVE AS AIRBUS EMPLOYEE?
At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare. Take a look at some of our social benefits:
Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.
Attractive salary.
Hybrid model of working when possible, promoting the work-life balance.
Collective transport service in some sites.
Benefits such as health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.
On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.
Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
Special rates in products & benefits.
#MYCYM
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company: Airbus Defence and Space SAU
Employment Type: Permanent -------
Experience Level: Professional
Job Family: Leadership
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