Job Description

Nortal's Applied Defence R&D serves as an innovation engine, transforming complex defence challenges into validated, deployable solutions. By combining cyber resilience, AI, data science, embedded security, and digital engineering, we deliver mission-ready prototypes and architectures. Partnering with governments, armed forces, industry, and academia, we create sovereign IP, dual-use technologies, and NATO/EU-aligned innovations that reduce risk and accelerate capability delivery.

You will own delivery against contractual scope, milestones, budget, and risk, and coordinate the consortium of partners, funding authorities, and internal teams behind a multinational programme.

Lead complex EU and defence R&D projects independently, from setup through execution, reporting, and closure
Own project scope, schedule, milestones, deliverables, budget, and risk
Coordinate multidisciplinary, distributed teams and manage consortium partners, funding authorities, and subcontractors
Translate Grant Agreement and contractual obligations into executable project plans
Track progress, spot deviations early, and drive corrective action
Prepare and lead consortium reviews, steering meetings, and funding-authority presentations
Own contractual deliverables, periodic reports, and audit-ready evidence through to completion
Support proposal preparation and consortium formation for new R&D opportunities
Structured project management adapted to R&D and engineering environments
Work-package, milestone, and risk management
Agile and hybrid delivery combined with contractual project controls
Financial planning and portfolio-level reporting
Project plans, schedules, budgets, and risk registers
Reviewed and finalised contractual deliverables and reports
Decision records, change requests, and stakeholder communications
Inputs to proposals and delivery models

Requirements

Significant experience leading complex technology, cyber security, defence, or R&D projects with high autonomy
Strong project financial management, contract management, and stakeholder management
Experience managing distributed teams and coordinating multiple external organisations
Experience with EDF, Horizon Europe, EDA, ESA, NATO, or similar multi-partner programmes is a strong advantage
Experience with Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, or MS Project
Degree or equivalent experience in engineering, IT, cyber security, business, or project management

Nice to have

PMI/PMP, PRINCE2, IPMA, or SAFe certification is an advantage
Willingness to complete a government security clearance process

Company offers

We hire people not only for their skills but also for cultural add. We live by our values: commit to delivering value and results, take ownership, empower yourself and others, and own your future and growth. Besides our professionalism, we like to spice things up with good humour
We care about your growth & development. At Nortal, we support constant improvement and knowledge sharing
We prioritise your health & well-being by providing a flexible package for health insurance and sports initiatives
We support your work-life balance and provide flexible working hours
It's your choice whether you want to work from the office or remotely within Estonia