Licensing Officer

Help Build Europe’s Hypersonic Capability

Hypersonica , we’re 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.

By joining Hypersonica, 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
• Own and drive the licensing and regulatory approval of explosives manufacturing, storage, and transport activities across Hypersonica’s operations.
• Lead the end-to-end application process for explosives manufacturing and storage licences with the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), from initiation through approval.
• Ensure continuous compliance with UK Explosives Regulations 2014 (ER2014) across manufacturing, storage, handling, and transport of high-hazard explosives.
• Plan and manage the logistics and regulatory approvals required for the transport of explosive materials, ensuring full compliance with licensing and safety obligations.
• Develop and provide site compliance plans covering explosives storage, raw material handling, segregation, and safety distances.
• Support planning and regulatory interface for the booster site, including coordination with industry partners where applicable.
• Progress and manage applications related to booster manufacturing and storage, acting as the primary regulatory focal point with HSE.
• Ensure alignment with COMAH and COSHH requirements where applicable, identifying overlaps, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with facilities, safety, operations, and propulsion teams to ensure licensing requirements are reflected in site design and operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and regulatory evidence to support inspections, audits, and licence conditions.
• Proactively identify regulatory risks and constraints, driving early resolution to protect schedule and operational readiness.
• Act as the internal authority on explosives licensing, enabling safe, lawful, and timely progression of explosive operations.

Who you are

• An experienced Explosives Licensing Officer or regulatory specialist with hands‑on experience securing licences for explosive materials.
• Strong, practical knowledge of UK Explosives Regulations (ER2014) and how they are applied in real operational environments.
• Direct industry experience working on explosive or high‑hazard sites, with a clear understanding of real‑world implementation challenges.
• Familiar with COMAH and COSHH legislation, and how these frameworks interact with explosives manufacturing and storage activities.
• Experienced managing HSE engagement and approval processes, including responding to regulatory feedback and conditions.
• Highly organised and detail‑driven, with a strong instinct for regulatory discipline, documentation, and traceability.
• Able to work confidently across technical, safety, facilities, and operational teams to translate regulation into actionable site plans.
• Calm and methodical under pressure, capable of managing complex, high‑consequence regulatory processes.
• Comfortable operating in early‑stage or scaling organisations where licensing frameworks are built from first principles.
• Motivated by enabling safe, compliant, and sovereign explosives capability, where failure has serious consequences and correctness matters.
• Security and Eligibility Requirement

Due to the nature of the work with the UK MOD, applicants must be a British Citizen (or Dual UK national with British citizenship) and eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC) and, where required, Developed Vetting (DV)

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.

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.

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