Emerging Technologies Technical Principal in Cardiff

Successful candidates may be based in any of our office locations – Cardiff, Glasgow or London. We especially welcome applicants from Cardiff and Glasgow.

Emerging technologies are rapidly reshaping how the energy system operates, and at Ofgem, we are embracing these advancements while ensuring they are used safely, responsibly and in the interest of consumers. We’re seeking an Emerging Technologies Technical Principal to provide technical leadership and authoritative expertise in areas such as AI and quantum computing. Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a permanent opportunity within our Emerging Technologies team, where you’ll have the chance to make a huge impact on how AI and other emerging technologies are used within Britain’s energy sector. You’ll focus on cutting‑edge applications of emerging technologies, leading on the technical elements of regulatory guidance and tools. This is an opportunity to shape how these technologies are deployed, exercising technical judgement to ensure safe, secure, sustainable and fair outcomes, whilst enabling the sector to harness its full potential and stay at the forefront of technical advancements.

Driving the delivery of the technical elements of work programmes, setting technical direction, standards and expectations for quality, you’ll line‑manage a newly recruited technical lead, building capability, supporting development and ensuring high standards of analysis. You’ll be involved in some seriously exciting projects and programmes that influence government, regulators and industry at the highest levels.

You’ll possess deep technical expertise in artificial intelligence or related digital technologies, with experience providing technical advice to senior leaders in complex or regulated environments. The ability to translate complex technical issues into clear, actionable recommendations will be vital, as will a strong understanding of areas such as AI governance, data governance, cybersecurity or digital systems risk. You’ll also need excellent communication skills, the ability to build effective relationships, and the willingness to support and develop others.

In return, you’ll have the opportunity to work at the forefront of how emerging technologies are applied within the energy sector, contributing to work that is both high‑profile and nationally significant. You’ll be part of a supportive and forward‑looking team, with the opportunity to shape how innovation is enabled while ensuring it is delivered responsibly. We have a critical purpose to ensure the energy system works in the interests of consumers, now and in the future. Join us and help shape how emerging technologies are used to support a safe, resilient and future‑ready energy system.

SC is required for this role. Information and eligibility guidance can be found here: SC - Guidance Pack for Applicants - GOV.UK

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across Ofgem’s emerging technologies programme of work (with an initial focus on AI and quantum), ensuring that technical input is well evidenced and future‑proof.
• Lead the technical aspects of regulatory guidance and tools, ensuring alignment with engineering, cybersecurity and data governance considerations.
• Work with the Head of Emerging Technologies to define technology roadmaps (with an initial focus on AI and quantum).
• Translate strategic Ofgem, directorate and team objectives into clear technical work packages, ensuring the wider team understands dependencies, evidence needs, implementation considerations, and any constraints.
• Conduct and lead technical horizon scanning across emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for innovation and associated risks.
• Provide authoritative technical advice into policy development, including assessing technical proposals from regulated entities and their innovation partners, identifying risks, and advising on appropriate mitigation approaches grounded in technology, engineering, data, and AI governance principles.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of technical analysis and guide technical resource in the use of appropriate approaches, methodologies and tooling.
• Escalate complex technical risks and issues appropriately, advising senior leadership on potential system impacts and proposing evidence‑based options or mitigations.
• In cross‑government, regulatory and standards development forums elaborate on Ofgem’s technical position underpinning its regulatory approach to emerging technologies within Britain’s energy sector.
• Build and maintain a strong, inclusive culture, mentoring technical resource and supporting professional development across the Emerging Technologies team.

Key Outputs and Deliverables

• Clear, high quality technical reports and assessments that explain how AI and quantum might create opportunities and risks, including technical reviews of how these technologies are being used within the energy sector, and how the overall system design works, with a particular focus on safety, security and resilience.
• Robust, evidence‑based technical components of guidance, standards, frameworks and regulatory tools, ensuring safety, security, fairness and transparency are embedded.
• Clear, well‑structured technology roadmaps outlining technical considerations, dependencies, future capability needs and the sector, market, firm and/or consumer risks or opportunities.
• Effective internal and external technical communication, explaining complex technical issues clearly to policy, legal, economics, leadership, and wider government stakeholders.
• Technical contributions to cross government working groups, regulator networks and standards bodies.
• A technically confident and motivated technical resource, supported through coaching, guidance and clear expectations around quality of analysis and technical excellence.
• Technical expertise in AI technologies demonstrated through experience designing, assessing, or assuring AI, data, digital or cyber related‑systems ideally in a regulated environment.

Lead Criteria

• Proven ability to provide authoritative technical advice to senior decision‑makers experience translating complex technical issues into clear, actionable recommendations for non‑technical audiences (Directors, Deputy Directors, legal teams, policy teams, external partners).
• Strong understanding of AI governance, safety, data governance, cybersecurity or digital systems risk with evidence of applying technical and risk‑management principles to real‑world or regulatory contexts.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across organisational boundaries experience working with multidisciplinary teams (policy, legal, data, engineering), and building strong relationships with external stakeholders such as government departments, regulators, energy companies or technology providers.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical specialists including setting expectations, supporting development, and fostering an inclusive, high‑performing technical culture.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills able to articulate technical considerations and strategic implications clearly and concisely for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working in a regulated environment particularly in energy, digital regulation, cyber security, or sectors with significant AI or data‑governance requirements.
• Familiarity with national and international technical standards such as BSI, ISO, NIST, IEEE, or other relevant AI, data, cybersecurity or emerging‑tech standards bodies.
• Knowledge of quantum and emerging technologies technologies, distributed systems, or next generation digital infrastructure particularly where these intersect with AI, system security, or regulatory oversight.
• Experience commissioning or overseeing specialised technical consultancy work such as AI model evaluations, cyber‑risk assessments, or technical reviews conducted by external experts.