Tech Scout - Defence & Dual-Use Technologies
Company:
Role description & who We are looking for
The Tech Scout will be the internal owner of technology scouting at Defence Builder and a key contributor to decisions about which companies enter the accelerator pipeline.
You will have the autonomy to shape the function while taking end-to-end responsibility for the quality and performance of the scouting pipeline.
The role sits at the intersection of technology, startups, military needs, and investment. It requires the ability to understand how a technology works, what operational problem it addresses, how mature the product and team are, and whether the company should progress to the next stage of Defence Builder’s selection process.
We do not expect equal depth across every defence technology vertical. We do expect the ability to form a rigorous initial view, identify gaps, and engage the right experts when deeper assessment is required.
Key responsibilities
Build and own Defence Builder’s technology scouting system end-to-end, including sourcing strategy, assessment criteria, pipeline stages, tools, reporting, and handover into the accelerator’s selection and programme processes.
Define and continuously refine scouting priorities in alignment with the accelerator’s objectives, while remaining accountable for pipeline quality and execution.
Identify promising defence and dual-use startups, technology companies, engineering teams, and emerging solutions in Ukraine and internationally.
Monitor the technology market, relevant programmes, conferences, professional communities, and other sources of new opportunities.
Conduct initial meetings with founders and technical teams.
Assess technology maturity, team capability, operational relevance, potential military applications, and scalability.
Prepare concise, structured company profiles and recommendations for further review.
Maintain the accelerator’s pipeline of prospective companies, including materials, statuses, communication history, and next steps.
Engage internal and external experts in the assessment of selected technologies.
Support the organisation of product demonstrations, testing, and interaction between companies and potential military end users.
Participate in relevant defence-tech events, develop a professional network, and represent Defence Builder Accelerator.
Requirements (must-have)
Relevant backgrounds may include military service, technology, product development, engineering, operations, investment, market analysis, or innovation scouting
We are looking for someone who:
Understands modern technologies and can quickly assess unfamiliar products and technical concepts.
Is comfortable building a function from first principles, making decisions with incomplete information, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
Can evaluate the substance of a technology beyond the quality of its presentation.
Understands the needs of military end users or has experience working with Defence Forces units.
Can communicate effectively with founders, engineers, military users, and domain experts.
Can structure large amounts of information and produce clear, evidence-based conclusions.
Takes a systematic approach to communication, pipeline management, and follow-up.
Has sufficient English proficiency to work with international companies and partners.
Handles confidential and operationally sensitive information responsibly.
Experience with UAVs, ground robotics, communications, electronic warfare, sensors, artificial intelligence, or other defence-tech domains will be an advantage.
We particularly encourage applications from veterans, former service members, and professionals who have worked with defence products or directly with Defence Forces units. This experience will be considered a strong advantage but is not a mandatory requirement.
Nice-to-have
Terms of engagement
Additional notes:
The opportunity to work with technologies that directly strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Meaningful influence over which companies and products receive support from the accelerator.
Knowledge sharing and market insights on the Ukrainian Defence Tech Market
Access to a network of technology companies, military users, experts, partners, and investors.
A clear mandate and the autonomy to build Defence Builder’s technology scouting function from the ground up, with support from the accelerator team and relevant domain experts.
Professional development within the Ukrainian and international defence-tech ecosystem, personal career development and growth.
Tech Scout - Defence & Dual-Use Technologies
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