Obsolescence Manager

Who we are

Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards.

As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously.

We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams, and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications.

The role

As Obsolescence Manager you will safeguard the long-term availability of our systems across their full lifecycle. You will identify, assess and monitor obsolescence risks in both hardware and software, and turn that insight into prevention and mitigation strategies. Working across engineering, procurement and service teams, you will keep critical components supportable and our platforms mission-ready. You will draw on obsolescence management databases and active market surveillance to anticipate risk before it reaches the field. Your work ensures the technology that protects our democracies remains sustained, available and dependable over the years it will serve.

The day-to-day

Identify, assess and monitor obsolescence risks across hardware and software throughout the full product lifecycle, reducing the incidence of unplanned redesigns

Develop and implement prevention and mitigation strategies, including supplier and component monitoring to protect system availability

Coordinate with engineering, procurement and service teams to secure long-term supportability of fielded systems

Conduct active market surveillance and apply the requirements of the Market Surveillance Act (Marktüberwachungsgesetz) to sourcing and compliance decisions

Maintain and interrogate obsolescence management databases (OM-DBs) to forecast risk and inform lifecycle planning

You should apply if you

Work confidently with obsolescence management databases (OM-DBs) to track and forecast component risk

Assess and manage software obsolescence across complex systems

Apply the Market Surveillance Act (Marktüberwachungsgesetz) and conduct active market surveillance

Coordinate across engineering, procurement and service teams to sustain long-term system availability

Translate lifecycle risk into clear prevention and mitigation strategies that keep platforms supportable

Communicate fluently in English and German (C1 or equivalent) to collaborate internationally and navigate local regulations

Note: We operate in an industry where women, as well as other minority groups, are systematically under-represented. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the listed qualifications; ability and impact cannot be summarised in a few bullet points.

Nice to have

Familiarity with obsolescence practices in the defence or aerospace sector

Working knowledge of component lifecycle forecasting and end-of-life management

What we offer

Competitive salary and VSOP options

Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation

Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance

Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health)

Social: regular company events and monthly social allowances

Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers & 6 weeks for secondary caregivers

Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work

These are the core benefits across all locations; there may be additional benefits in specific sites.

Helsing's Candidate Privacy and Confidentiality Regime can be found here.