Head of UK Emerging Technologies in Bristol

Intrigued by the future? Interested in incubating differentiating technologies? Able to inspire others to contribute & collaborate? Then the role of leading the forward‑looking and dynamic Emerging Technologies team is for you.

Salary: Circa £80,000 depending on experience

Dynamic (hybrid) working: 1‑2 days per week on‑site due to workload classification

Security Clearance: British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and/or rights to work may apply. As a minimum and after offer stage, all successful candidates will need to undergo HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard checks (BPSS), which are managed by the MBDA Personnel Security Team.

What we can offer you:

• Company Bonus: Bonus of up to 35% of base salary
• Car Allowance: £575 per month
• Pension: maximum total (employer and employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Flexible working: We welcome applicants who are looking for flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave: offers up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave - enhancements are available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility testing and treatments
• Facilities: Fantastic site facilities including subsidised meals, free car parking and much more…
• Private Medical Insurance: Eligible employees are enrolled as standard into the company funded Private Medical Insurance benefit.

The opportunity:

This role defines and develops new technologies for MBDA, with a focus on transverse capabilities not catered for elsewhere in the business. The current areas of focus include quantum, space, and synthetic fuels. The role will work with internal and external experts to find, define, develop, and deliver these technologies, for both MBDA core products and new concepts. It will also refine and employ the innovation processes developed by emerging tech to iterate and identify the future technologies of interest beyond that, continually pushing boundaries and exploring new and interesting domains. The role has previously delivered artificial intelligence, co‑operative weapons, and quantum timing into the business, and this is an opportunity to provide innovation and thought leadership in new areas of engineering.

What's in it for you:

• The opportunity to work in the areas of leading edge technologies (such as quantum, AI, novel sensor technology), to open up discriminating potential in MBDA
• The opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping and influencing MBDA's technical future
• The opportunity to interact at various levels of MBDA and externally as MBDA evolves its technology‑related business interests. This will include interactions with senior leaders in MBDA up to and includes the Executive Committee.
• The opportunity to build expertise in a wide variety of new technologies, and their relevance to weapon systems.
• The opportunity to work with others with a keen interest in achieving technological innovations to deliver future discriminating and game‑changing capability for MBDA.

What we're looking for from you:

• Degree level qualification preferably in STEM subjects.
• A level of understanding of the key features of a wide range of defence and commercial dual‑use technologies to identify opportunities for creating discriminators for MBDA.
• Ability to understand technology value in a system context.
• Leadership, influence, and strategic thinking in order to drive forward a multidisciplinary team across the business, covering both direct reports and extended support.
• The ability to detect and explore tech areas not being considered elsewhere in the organisation.
• Ability to engage, promote, and excite personnel on new technology, including your immediate team, funding holders, and customers.
• Willingness to attain suitable security clearance for certain technology areas.

Our Business:

MBDA is a leading defence organisation. We are proud of the role we play in supporting the Armed Forces who protect our nations. We partner with governments to work together towards a common goal, defending our freedom. We are proud of our employee‑led networks, examples include: Gender Equality, Pride, Menopause Matters, Parents and Carers, Armed Forces, Ethnic Diversity, Neurodiversity, Disability and more… We recognise that everyone is unique, and we encourage you to speak to us should you require any advice, support or adjustments throughout our recruitment process.