Founder Associate (gn) @ DefenceTech Venture, Belgium

We are open to full-time and internship applications.

We're Building the Future of Maritime Defense

MAHI is a European deep tech company building next-generation autonomous navigation technology for defense applications at sea. We combine advanced AI, embedded software, and integrated hardware into a fully certified, production-ready system that's already deployed with clients. We're not another promising startup with a prototype. We have a tested product, paying customers, and early traction in one of the world's most complex and high-stakes markets.

Our vessels range from 6 to 60 meters, our technology is field-proven, and our technical team brings deep domain expertise. Backed by leading investors, we're entering a critical commercial phase - expanding our direct presence in defense markets and scaling operations across Europe and beyond.

This is where you come in.

The Role: Your Founder's Right Hand

This isn't a "follow the playbook" job. This is a build-the-playbook-while-flying-the-plane role. You'll work directly with the founding team, touching every part of the business, solving problems that don't have solutions yet, and moving at a pace that would make most people dizzy.

One day you're negotiating van specs. The next you're crafting a killer sales proposal. The day after? You're screening candidates and researching Polish maritime law. If that sounds chaotic, you're right. If that sounds thrilling, keep reading.

What You'll Actually Do

Global Ops & Compliance

• Navigate the maze of international maritime certifications (because yes, every country has different rules)

• Track and expedite critical import/export certificates

• Become our go-to expert on "how do we legally do X in Y country?"

Venture Development & Talent

• Attract and screen exceptional people who'll help scale MAHI (first-round interviews for key positions)

• Research strategic business questions - from market entry strategies to competitive positioning

• Support fundraising efforts, investor relations, and partnership development

• Build frameworks and processes that enable rapid scaling without breaking things

Technical Translation

• Review user manuals and make them actually understandable for non-engineers

• Write compelling Concept of Operations documents for client demos

• Build operating manuals that a boat captain with zero tech background can follow

Revenue Generation

• Prepare killer proposals that showcase MAHI's capabilities

• Add context and understanding to turn templates into winning offers

Operational Excellence

• Fleet Management: Spec, procure, register, and insure our new demo van

• Demo Coordination: Staff trials and demos, then extract and distribute learnings

• Tools & Systems: Research and implement better wikis, project management tools, and internal systems

You're Perfect For This If:

You're a Swiss Army knife - comfortable jumping between HR, sales, ops, and technical writing in the same day
You execute relentlessly - you don't wait for permission; you make it happen
You love 0→1 challenges - ambiguity excites you, not paralyzes you
You write clearly - you can explain complex tech to your grandma
You're resourceful AF - Google, ChatGPT, calling experts - whatever it takes
You have founder energy - high ownership, low ego, all hustle
You're organized chaos - you thrive managing 15 balls in the air

Bonus points:

• You've worked in a startup before (pre-Series A preferred)

• You have maritime, logistics, or hardware experience

• You speak multiple languages

• You've done something unusual that shows you're a bit crazy (in a good way)

What to Expect:

This is an early-stage startup role, which means:

• Your responsibilities will evolve as the company grows

• You'll need to be self-directed and figure things out independently

• Flexibility is key - some weeks are intense, especially around demos and trials

What You'll Get:

• Direct access to founders- your ideas shape the company

• Exposure to every aspect of building a deep-tech startup

• A front-row seat to the autonomous maritime revolution

• Problems that actually matter (maritime safety, efficiency, sustainability)

• Rapid growth - this role is a launching pad, not a landing spot

• The satisfaction of seeing your work in action on real vessels

The Bottom Line

This role is intense, varied, and occasionally overwhelming. You'll learn more in 6 months than most people learn in 2 years. You'll make mistakes. You'll improvise. You'll build systems from scratch. But if you want to be in the trenches with founders building something that matters, in an industry that's decades overdue for disruption, this is your shot.