At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the product strategy for cutting-edge defence technology and collaborate with top engineers.
- Company: Join a pioneering UK defence tech firm shaping the future of military capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, significant equity package, and remote work flexibility.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for career growth in a strategic executive role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security with innovative AI and robotics solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in defence product leadership and military systems integration required.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 180000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom (Remote)
Salary: £140,000–£180,000 depending on experience
Package: Significant equity package
Security Clearance: Active DV preferred. Active SC with ability to obtain DV considered.
Our client is developing one of the UK's most ambitious sovereign defence technology platforms, combining Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Autonomous Systems and deterministic Command & Control technologies. The Product Director will join the executive leadership team to shape the product strategy for sovereign defence capability supporting the UK MOD, NATO and Five Eyes partners.
Critical Experience:
- UK Military capability development
- Product leadership within Defence or National Security
- AI, Robotics or Autonomous Systems
- UAV/UAS (Drone) technologies
- Command & Control (C2)
- Military systems implementation
- Systems integration
- NATO capability or multinational defence programmes
- Defence procurement
- Executive stakeholder management
The Opportunity:
This is a strategic executive appointment rather than a traditional Product Director role. The successful candidate will translate military operational requirements into market-leading defence products, working alongside engineers, AI specialists and defence stakeholders while shaping the long-term product vision.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and own the strategic product vision and roadmap.
- Lead AI, Robotics, Autonomous Systems and C2 product strategy.
- Translate operational military requirements into product capability.
- Work closely with engineering teams.
- Engage with MOD, Defence Digital, DE&S, Dstl, NATO and Tier 1 defence organisations.
- Build and lead the Product function.
- Represent Product with customers, investors and executive stakeholders.
Essential Experience:
- Product leadership within Defence, National Security or Sovereign Technology.
- AI-enabled defence capability.
- Robotics and autonomous systems.
- UAV/UAS implementation.
- Command & Control systems.
- Military systems integration.
- NATO interoperability.
- Defence procurement.
- Executive stakeholder management.
Highly Desirable:
- UK Special Forces capability programmes (desirable, not essential).
- Defence Digital
- Strategic Command
- DE&S
- Dstl
- Royal Signals
- Defence Intelligence
- Royal Navy autonomous systems
- RAF RPAS / ISTAR / Rapid Capabilities
- GCHQ
- NCSC
Technical Knowledge:
- AI
- Machine Learning
- Robotics
- Autonomous Systems
- UAV/UAS
- Drone Swarming
- C2
- C4ISR
- ISTAR
- Mission Systems
- Human-Machine Teaming
- Electronic Warfare
- Counter-UAS
- Secure Communications
- Systems Integration
- Edge Computing
- AI Governance
- Product Strategy
Leadership Profile:
- Executive and Board-level credibility.
- Strategic thinker.
- Able to influence senior military leaders and government stakeholders.
- Comfortable balancing engineering excellence with commercial delivery.
- Passionate about sovereign defence capability.
Ideal Background:
Candidates are likely to come from DE&S, Defence Digital, Strategic Command, Dstl, Royal Signals, Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, Defence Intelligence, UK Space Command, GCHQ, NCSC or Tier 1 defence organisations delivering AI, Robotics, UAV or C4ISR capability.
Defence Product Director in Colchester employer: NexGen Associates
As a leading innovator in the defence technology sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment that fosters collaboration and creativity among top-tier professionals. With a focus on cutting-edge AI, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems, employees are empowered to shape the future of sovereign defence capabilities while enjoying significant equity packages and opportunities for professional growth. Our remote working model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while contributing to critical national security initiatives.
