Head of Unit Air & Space
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- Grade
- Not specified
- Contract
- Temporary Staff
- Basic salary estimate
- See source notice
- Deadline
- November 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM · Europe/Brussels
- Location
- Brussels, Belgium
European Defence Agency
The European Defence Agency supports member states in developing defence capabilities and strengthening European defence cooperation.
Visit official websiteRadar brief
The Head of Unit Air & Space leads the European Defence Agency's capability planning, development and armament acquisition activities in the Air and Space domains, managing collaborative implementation of EU Capability Development Priorities with Member States. The strongest stated requirement is a minimum of fifteen years of experience in the Air or Space domain acquired in a military environment after the award of the required qualification.
The role matters because it leads the Agency's capability planning and development and armament acquisition activities in the Air and Space domains, managing with Member States the collaborative implementation of EU agreed Capability Development Priorities.
What you would do
- Lead the Agency's capability planning and development and armament acquisition activities in the Air and Space domains.
- Manage with the unit and Member States the collaborative implementation of EU agreed Capability Development Priorities including Air Combat, Airborne Command & Inform Capabilities, Integrated Air & Missile Defence, Air Transport, Space Operations and Space Services.
- Support the CAP Director in elaborating strategic objectives and proposals on Air & Space capability planning and development challenges at EU level.
- Lead and manage the Air & Space Unit, fostering an integrated and collaborative approach and ensuring effective delivery of objectives, projects and activities.
- Maintain a strategic overview of the Air & Space portfolio and ensure coherence across the different pillars or strands of work of the unit.
- Provide strategic direction, leadership and guidance to Unit staff for implementing Air & Space EU Capability Development Priorities, including identification, harmonisation and consolidation of military requirements and collaborative opportunities.
- Ensure effective resource planning, prioritisation of activities, staff development and a high-performance working environment.
- Ensure a transversal and cross-domain approach to planning and development of Air & Space capabilities and coordination across all CAP Units.
Eligibility snapshot
Must have
- A university degree (or equivalent academic qualification) in a field relevant to the duties of the post, such as defence studies, military sciences, air & space engineering.
- A minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in the Air or the Space domain acquired in military environment after the award of the qualification required as a condition of eligibility, with extensive knowledge in one of the capability areas Air Combat, Airborne Command & Inform, IAMD, Air Transport, Space Operations or Space Services and corresponding track records.
- A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in military capability planning / development and /or armament programmes with corresponding track records.
- Substantial professional experience in international relations and in international defence organisations.
- Demonstrated leadership experience in managerial positions, including strategic planning, resource management, prioritisation of activities and successful delivery of complex programmes, projects and organisational initiatives.
- A strong understanding of EU defence initiatives, including both from the intergovernmental side (CDP, CARD, PESCO) and the communitarian side (DG DEFIS Instruments) and a very good knowledge of the European Space ecosystem.
- Proven experience in high-level stakeholder engagement with Member States, EU institutions, NATO, industry and/or other relevant organisations.
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
Advantageous
- Military operational experience in a field relevant to the post.
- A postgraduate qualification in a field relevant to the post.
- Professional experience in NATO relevant to the post.
- Hold a (recognised) project management qualification.
- Experience in the management and delivery of major multinational defence capability programmes or cooperative projects.
- Experience of leading organisational and process change.
- The following will be considered an advantage.
Contract and workplace context
Temporary-agent post. Contract duration, renewal, probation and grade conditions remain governed by the official notice.
Source notice
Status: Open Opening date: 2026-10-09T12:00:00+00:00 Application page Details Status Open Opening date 9 October 2026 Deadline 17 November 2026, 23:59 (CET) Department European Defence Agency Agency EDA - European Defence Agency Vacancy Type Public and Inter-Agency Type of Contract Temporary Staff Grade AD11…
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Last synchronized Oct 14, 2026, 4:33 AM from EU Jobs. Always confirm eligibility and deadline with the hiring organisation.
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