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 is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. Please do not submit personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, data concerning your health, or data concerning your sexual orientation.