At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research in maritime defence and underwater capability.
- Company: Join TKMS ATLAS UK, a leader in advanced defence technology.
- Benefits: Flexible working, exposure to cutting-edge research, and collaborative environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a highly technical and engaging setting.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence while working with top scientists and engineers.
- Qualifications: Degree in STEM, strong maritime defence understanding, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
TKMS ATLAS UK is seeking a Research Manager to join its Research & Innovation Division, supporting the development of future maritime and underwater defence capability. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of maritime defence, underwater warfare, future capability development, operational analysis, and advanced defence research.
The role involves close collaboration with Dstl, Navy stakeholders, scientists, engineers, and wider defence partners, helping shape early-stage concepts and research into future operational capability.
The Opportunity
This is not a traditional sales role. The successful candidate will act as a credible interface between customers and technical teams — identifying opportunities, shaping research concepts, supporting bids, and helping convert emerging ideas into funded programmes and future capability. You'll work within a highly technical environment alongside scientists, engineers, and operational specialists focused on the underwater battlespace and wider maritime defence domain.
What You'll Be Doing
- Identifying and developing research and innovation opportunities within maritime defence
- Working closely with Dstl and wider MOD/Navy stakeholders
- Supporting and leading bid and proposal activity
- Collaborating with scientists and engineers to develop winning technical solutions
- Helping shape future underwater and maritime capability concepts
- Translating operational and customer needs into technically credible solutions
- Supporting delivery of high-quality research outputs and customer engagement activity
- Working collaboratively across the business to ensure research activity supports future products and operational capability
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines technical credibility, maritime defence understanding, stakeholder engagement skills, and strategic thinking. The ideal candidate will have experience across some combination of underwater warfare, sonar systems, maritime combat systems, operational analysis, defence research, capability development, systems engineering, Navy Command, Dstl, DE&S environments, or wider maritime defence programmes.
Key Skills & Experience
- Essential Degree qualified within a STEM-related discipline
- Strong understanding of the maritime defence environment
- Ability to communicate effectively with highly technical specialists and stakeholders
- Experience translating complex technical information into operational or customer-focused outcomes
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Confident working independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams
- Highly Desirable Experience within underwater warfare or the underwater battlespace
- Exposure to Dstl, Navy Command or wider MOD capability environments
- Experience supporting bids, proposals, capability acquisition or concept development
- Knowledge of sonar, underwater sensing, systems integration or maritime operational capability
Why Join TKMS ATLAS UK?
TKMS ATLAS UK is a leading provider of advanced maritime and underwater defence technology, supporting critical UK and allied defence capability. You'll join a collaborative, highly technical environment where your work will contribute directly to the future of underwater and maritime defence capability. The business offers:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Full-time, part-time and condensed-hours opportunities
- Exposure to cutting-edge defence research and innovation
- A highly specialist and intellectually engaging environment
- The opportunity to work alongside leading scientists, engineers and operational experts
Security Requirements
Due to the nature of the work, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC). Willingness to undergo higher levels of clearance may also be required for some programmes.
Location
Dorset Innovation Park, Winfrith, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8ZB. Hybrid working is available, although regular on-site collaboration is expected due to the highly technical and secure nature of the work.
Research Manager in Slough employer: Morson Edge
At TKMS ATLAS UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation in maritime defence. Our employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, exposure to cutting-edge research, and the opportunity to work alongside leading experts in a highly technical field. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we are committed to shaping the future of underwater and maritime capability while supporting our team's professional aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Manager in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the maritime defence sector on LinkedIn or at industry events. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of the maritime defence landscape. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your experience in underwater warfare or systems engineering.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on roles that excite you! Use our website to find positions that match your skills and interests, especially those that involve collaboration with scientists and engineers in the defence sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We believe that a little courtesy can help keep you top of mind for hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Manager role. Highlight your experience in maritime defence and any relevant technical skills that align with what we're looking for. This shows us you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be working closely with scientists, engineers, and stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. Use examples in your application that showcase how you've successfully translated technical information into customer-focused outcomes.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to mention any experience you have in underwater warfare or related fields. If you've worked on bids or proposals before, let us know! This will help us see how you can contribute to our innovative projects right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we do in the maritime defence sector!
How to prepare for a job interview at Morson Edge
✨Know Your Maritime Defence Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of maritime defence and underwater warfare. Familiarise yourself with current trends, technologies, and challenges in the field. This will help you speak confidently about how your skills align with the role and demonstrate your genuine interest in the sector.
✨Showcase Your Technical Credibility
Prepare to discuss your technical background and how it relates to the role. Be ready to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both technical specialists and stakeholders. Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to bridge the gap between technical and operational needs.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, think about how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in the past. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your stakeholder engagement skills and how you've translated customer needs into actionable research or proposals. This will show that you can effectively interface between customers and technical teams.
✨Prepare for Bid and Proposal Discussions
As you'll be supporting bid and proposal activities, it's crucial to understand the bidding process in defence projects. Brush up on any relevant experience you have in this area and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to shaping winning proposals. Highlight any successful bids you've been involved in and what made them stand out.
