UK Head of Operations

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board. Help build Europe's hypersonic capability at Hypersonica, where we are redefining what's possible in European defence technology. We exist to deliver speed, resilience, and technological independence at a pace that sets a new standard. We are a small, elite team working on problems that matter, and solving them fast.

As our VP Operations, you're not stepping into a predefined role. You're joining a talent dense environment where every individual shapes the direction of the company. Our philosophy is to hire a small number of exceptional people with broad, deep technical capability, strong judgement, and the ability to operate autonomously. We hire for talent, not rigid boxes. This role represents a business need, but the way it evolves will be shaped by the individual. If you've achieved what others said was impossible, or you bring a unique combination of skills that doesn't fit a traditional mould, we want to hear from you. The work you do here directly contributes to Europe's technological independence.

What you'll do:

• Establish and deliver Hypersonica's UK industrialisation and manufacturing capability on a 12 month critical path, from zero to sustained production and test readiness.
• Own the end to end industrialisation programme, governing manufacturing schedules, readiness reviews, and CAPEX decision gates with absolute clarity and pace.
• Stand up secure, compliant production and test operations aligned to UK MoD requirements, focusing on execution rather than commercial or strategic direction.
• Define, implement, and operate robust systems across production, quality, compliance, and workforce planning to create a scalable, audit ready UK operation.
• Lead facility selection, approval, and mobilisation, locking site layouts, security posture, and infrastructure to support near term manufacturing and test activity.
• Establish and manage the UK supply chain and external partners, ensuring readiness, resilience, and alignment with delivery timelines and security constraints.
• Introduce, embed, and maintain AS9100, Safety Management Systems, and production quality controls appropriate for a fast iterating hypersonic programme.
• Advance and maintain List X accreditation, and own ITAR and export control compliance across people, systems, suppliers, and data flows.
• Build and lead the UK operations team, setting a high-ownership culture focused on execution speed, discipline, and continuous readiness.
• Work closely with the Managing Director to provide clear operational insight into budgets, cash flow, and capital planning, grounded in real delivery data.
• Drive the first 180 day mobilisation plan: secure approvals, lock the site and supplier strategy, establish operational systems, and prove readiness for sustained UK manufacturing and test.

What we offer:

• A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe's most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
• Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
• High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
• A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
• A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
• Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.

At Hypersonica, every hire raises the bar. We are deliberately small, intensely capable, and deeply mission-driven. If this role feels like a strong fit, or if you believe you bring something exceptional that goes beyond the description, we encourage you to apply. Hypersonica is an equal-opportunity employer and assesses candidates solely on merit, capability, and potential. You can apply directly to this role or reach out to Nathan Sweeney, Head of Talent. We review every application and aim to respond to all candidates within two weeks, whether the answer is yes or no.