About Us
We are a Germany-based defense technology startup developing mission-critical systems for defense against drones, missiles, and other airborne threats. Our team builds real-world systems at the intersection of hardware, software, sensing, and operations.
As an early-stage company, we operate in stealth mode and place strong emphasis on ownership, engineering rigor, rapid iteration, and close collaboration across disciplines. This is a unique opportunity to join a defense deep-tech company at an early stage and work directly with leadership on topics that are critical to company building.
Role Overview
We are looking for a Founder Associate Intern to work closely with the CEO on a broad range of strategic, operational, and day-to-day business topics.
This is a high-exposure, high-ownership role for someone who wants to understand how an early-stage defense startup is built from the inside. You will contribute to strategic initiatives, support business-critical operational work, prepare presentations and decision materials, and help drive execution across the company.
The role combines analytical work, project coordination, and hands-on support in the daily business of the CEO. It is well suited for someone who is highly structured, fast-learning, proactive, and excited to work at the intersection of strategy and execution.
Your Responsibilities
- Work directly with the CEO on strategic, operational, and organizational topics
- Support the preparation of presentations, briefings, internal documents, and decision materials
- Conduct research and analysis on markets, customers, competitors, technologies, and strategic priorities
- Help structure and drive cross-functional projects across business, product, and operations
- Support fundraising, partnership, recruiting, or business development related workstreams as needed
- Prepare materials for internal and external stakeholders, including partners, investors, and candidates
- Take ownership of recurring and ad hoc tasks that are important for the company's progress
- Help improve internal processes, coordination, and execution speed across teams
- Assist in the day-to-day business of the CEO and help remove operational bottlenecks
- Contribute wherever needed in a fast-moving startup environment with changing priorities
- Support coordination for occasional business travel to Berlin and related follow-up tasks when required
Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree, ideally in Business, Economics, Management, Finance, Engineering, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field
- Strong analytical and structured thinking
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Strong presentation skills and confidence in creating clear, high-quality slides and documents
- Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and handle a broad range of tasks
- High attention to detail, reliability, and a strong execution mindset
- Strong proficiency with PowerPoint or Google Slides and Excel or Google Sheets
- Interest in startups, defense, deep-tech, and company building
- Comfortable working in an environment with ambiguity, speed, and high expectations
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous internship experience in startups, consulting, venture capital, private equity, strategy, operations, or high-growth environments
- Strong interest in defense, security, geopolitics, or industrial technology
- Experience supporting leadership, founders, or cross-functional projects
- German language skills are a plus, but not required
What We Offer
- Direct exposure to the CEO and close involvement in company-critical topics
- A broad role with visibility across strategy, operations, and company building
- High ownership from day one
- The opportunity to work on meaningful defense technology with real-world relevance
- A steep learning curve in a fast-scaling startup environment
- Hybrid work model with base in Dusseldorf
- Dynamic and flexible work setup
- The chance to grow with the company over time
Who You Are
- Ownership-driven: You take responsibility and proactively move topics forward
- Hands-on: You are willing to work on both strategic questions and operational tasks
- Adaptable and resilient: You thrive in fast-changing environments with incomplete information
- Structured and reliable: You bring order, clarity, and follow-through
- Collaborative: You work well with different people and functions across the company
- Mission-aligned: You are motivated by contributing to high-impact defense technology
Location: Dusseldorf / Hybrid
Start: As soon as possible
Note: Occasional business travel to Berlin may be required.
