Technical Programme Lead in London

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,500 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 10 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.

Location: London, Client site 3 days per week.

Who we are

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow - shaping a safer future, for all of us.

A place where everyone can thrive. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do. We welcome applications from all candidates and give full, fair and open consideration to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss any further support you may need.

Role Description

The Technical Programme Lead owns the day‑to‑day leadership and coordination of a multi‑strand custom software delivery programme within the client environment. The role spans programme delivery, senior client engagement, coordination, and technical oversight across data and application domains. This is an enabling role: you will set direction, maintain alignment, manage escalation, and ensure client‑side BAE delivery team and engineering teams, along with other internal and external client stakeholders, are supported, unblocked, and delivering value.

Core Duties

• Hold overall accountability for the programme, acting as the first escalation point for project related issues.
• Lead client engagement at programme level, including C‑suite and CIO forums, ensuring visibility, confidence, and continued funding.
• Coordinate delivery across internal teams, client product owners and external entities.
• Provide technical and data leadership to the client, advising directly or facilitating expert input where required.
• Oversee requirements capture, prioritisation, sprint reviews, and user engagement activities across all applications.
• Support project engagement leads with delivery, engagement, and infrastructure‑related activities as needed to ensure smooth delivery and strong stakeholder outcomes.
• Engage directly with clients and end users where needed, providing support and ensuring users are happy with the solutions being delivered.
• Enable engineering delivery by identifying, escalating, and resolving dependencies, risks, and blockers.
• Ensure alignment with client‑side architecture, governance, platform, operations, and design authority requirements.
• Manage external engagements (e.g. SPISN, ADW, and other suppliers) to support data, integration, and client needs.
• Provide clear programme management by setting expectations, tracking progress, and communicating issues early and transparently.
• Contribute to programme reporting, funding proposals, and recruitment planning.

Experience leading complex technical or data‑driven programmes in a client environment. Strong delivery focus across multi‑team settings. Confidence engaging senior client stakeholders as a trusted delivery and technical lead. Ability to operate effectively with limited direction. Solid understanding of Agile software delivery and modern data and application platforms. Pragmatic, outcomes‑focused mindset.

Due to the nature of our business and requirements of this role, you will need to hold a MoD/Partner DV and be a UK National.

Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day. By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being. Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.