Interim: Business Developer – Strategic Defence Technology 

Driving imec’s strategic position in the European Defence ecosystem 

Why now

Europe faces an unprecedented urgency to strengthen technological sovereignty. Defence ministries and industry partners are accelerating investments in microelectronics, secure communication, sensing, and AI-enabled systems — domains where imec’s semiconductor leadership is increasingly mission-critical. With the Netherlands scaling its Defence innovation agenda and Europe building new collaborative frameworks, imec is expanding its strategic presence to ensure that breakthrough chip technologies directly contribute to long-term defence capability development. 

About imec

Imec is the world’s leading independent nanoelectronics R&D hub. Through world-class talent, advanced infrastructure, and a global partner network, we enable semiconductor innovations that are smaller, faster, more sustainable, and more secure. Beyond chip R&D, we combine nanotechnology expertise with data and AI capabilities to accelerate applications across industry and society. imec’s core facilities are located in Leuven, Belgium, with strong R&D footprints in Ghent, Eindhoven and additional global locations including the US. 

Role & Strategic Mandate

To strengthen imec NL’s positioning in the European Defence sector, we are seeking an interim Program Manager / Business Developer with Defence experience. This role will shape imec’s strategic entry, build the right partnerships, and convert high-value Defence opportunities into impactful, funded technology programs. 

You will act as a trusted counterpart to ministries, Defence organisations, and selected industry partners. Your mandate spans strategic positioning, opportunity development, and project definition — ensuring that imec’s semiconductor and deep-tech capabilities translate into Defence-relevant solutions for both near-term and long-term needs. 

This consultancy assignment reports to the Regional Managing Director imec NL and the Sector VP Defence (Leuven). 

Core Responsibilities 

Strategic Positioning 

• Position imec as a key semiconductor and deep-tech partner for Defence Ministries (e.g., NL) and leading Defence industrial organisations (e.g., TNO, Thales, Rheinmetall, etc.). 

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management 

• Manage high-level relationships with Defence stakeholders.
• Coordinate internal imec expertise centers and external technology partners. 

Opportunity & Lead Generation 

•  Proactively generate the first strategic leads that convert into paid Defence partnerships and funded innovation programs. 

Project Definition & Delivery 

•  Shape, scope, and structure complex multi-partner projects — including timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment. 

Key Requirements 

Experience & Education 

• MSc or PhD in Engineering or equivalent; strong coordination, program, or systems-engineering orientation. 
• 5+ years of program or project management in international or cross-functional environments. 
• Demonstrated experience running complex, multi-partner projects. 
• EU27 nationality and able to undergo Defence-related security screening. 

Defence & Technology Expertise 

• Minimum 2–5 years of Defence-domain experience (Ministry of Defence, Defence industry, integrators, or reservist background). 
• Established Defence network with the ability to open doors across stakeholders and decision-makers (DMU). 
• Familiarity with semiconductor technology and Defence applications (preferred).
• Experience with major innovation/funding programs is an asset. 

Core Competencies 

• Strategic, proactive, and hands-on; strong systems thinking.
• Excellent stakeholder influence skills across multi-level Defence environments.
• Ability to balance a helicopter perspective while engaging deep into technical subdomains.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and organizational capabilities.
• Fluent in Dutch and English (French/German are a plus). 

This role based in the Netherlands with frequent travel to imec HQ in Leuven. 

Interested

Please submit your resume and a brief motivation letter outlining relevant experience. 
For more information, contact Frank Wolfs, Talent Acquisition Lead via frank.wolfs.ext@imec.nl | +31 6 5083 7563