Head of Engineering

In today’s world of constant global security challenges, innovation in defense is no luxury. After years of budget cuts, military personnel need to train and work with inadequate and insufficient equipment. We have an opportunity to change that.

At Intelic, we build the intelligence layer for unmanned defense systems. As our Head of Engineering, you will shape the processes and structure that enable us to deliver reliable, mission-critical software at scale.

At Intelic, we are a group of highly committed professionals building one of the fastest-growing start-ups based in Amsterdam. 

Responsibilities

As Head of Engineering, you ensure our engineering organisation runs efficiently, predictably, and with high technical quality. Your main focus is on designing, implementing, and optimising software development processes that help our teams deliver reliable, mission-critical software at scale. You’ll work closely with the leads of our six multidisciplinary teams, whom you directly manage, to streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and remove friction in how we build, test, and deliver software.

The Head of Engineering reports directly to the CTO and ensures that engineering execution aligns with the overall technology vision. In this role, you work closely with the Head of Product and the Head of Design to translate discovery insights and business requirements into well-designed, scalable, and systematic solutions.

You’ll help shape the way we grow and support our engineering teams, defining clear roles, fostering mentorship, and ensuring that people management happens effectively within each team. While you won’t directly manage every engineer, you will set the standards for how technical leadership, feedback, and professional growth are practiced across the organization. As the hierarchical manager of the six team leads, you ensure that leadership expectations are clear and consistently upheld.

This role suits someone who is deeply technical but thrives on building structure, someone who understands how great engineering cultures emerge from clear processes, shared standards, and continuous improvement. ​​

In practice, this means: 

• Designing, implementing, and refining Agile/Scrum development processes to improve efficiency, predictability, and product quality

• Collaborating with team leads to ensure consistent planning, estimation, and delivery practices across all engineering teams

• Driving adoption of clear engineering standards and robust CI/CD practices

• Aligning architecture and technical direction with business priorities and product goals

• Facilitating effective communication and collaboration across teams and disciplines

• Monitoring delivery performance and identifying opportunities for improvement through metrics and retrospectives

• Acting as a bridge between leadership, product, and engineering to ensure clarity and alignment

• Providing hierarchical leadership, coaching, and accountability for the six engineering team leads
  

Our Tech Stack

• Backend: Rust (85–95%) and Python

• Frontend: Svelte, TypeScript, Tailwind

• Simulation: Unreal Engine 5

• CI/CD: GitHub Actions

• Containerization: Docker
  

What Success Looks Like in Your First Year

• Clear, scalable engineering processes implemented and consistently followed across all teams

• Improved predictability and delivery velocity through better planning and communication

• High cross-team collaboration and transparency in progress and decision-making

• Reduced technical debt through stronger engineering discipline and testing practices

• A culture of continuous improvement, where teams identify and act on efficiency gains

What You Will Bring

• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, including 5+ years leading multiple development teams in a fast-growing environment

• Proven experience in and passion for designing and improving software development processes (Agile/Scrum) to increase efficiency, predictability, and quality

• Solid engineering foundation with hands-on technical understanding (Rust experience is a plus)

• Demonstrated success scaling engineering organisations and aligning delivery with product and business goals

• Skilled at introducing structure and consistency across teams without adding unnecessary complexity

• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with a focus on clarity, accountability, and collaboration

• Nice to have: Background in mission-critical or high-stakes software (e.g., defense, aerospace, robotics)

Why Join Intelic

• Talented Team: Work with leading engineers and domain experts shaping the future of autonomous systems 

• Hands-On Impact: See the direct real-world outcomes of your work in field tests and operational deployments. 

• Growth Stage Momentum: Join at a moment where your leadership will have lasting influence

What we offer

At Intelic, you will be part of an ambitious scale-up where teamwork, learning, and impact drive everything we do. Growth happens quickly here, giving you the chance to take ownership and shape your role from the start.

Benefits & Perks: 

• Travel allowance coverage

• A flexible pension plan

• The opportunity to contribute directly to our growing company’s culture and operations

• A modern office at the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam Noord - and soon, a brand-new location

• A corporate membership at Urban Sports

• 25 vacation days + 8% holiday allowance

• Be part of our success through a Stock Appreciation Rights program

• Possibility to lease a bike through ‘Lease a Bike’

We look forward to receiving your application and getting to know you. If you have any questions, please contact our recruiter Mitchell at mitchell@intelic.ai