A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (Any Profession) to serve as SO2 International & Exports at RAF High Wycombe on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 31 August 2026 (or sooner/later depending on individual circumstances)
Engagement with international partners, allies, and industry is an essential part of Air’s ability to meet the needs of UK Defence Policy. This post will work directly for SO1 International & Exports under Assistant Head Integration within Head Air Capability (Cap) Futures’ area of responsibility. The International & Exports role is responsible for engagement both internally within the 2* Director Capability area of responsibility within HQ Air, and across Defence.
The postholder will contribute directly to RAF and cross-government efforts to enhance the competitiveness, credibility and international appeal of UK air and enabling capabilities, ensuring effective integration with Defence priorities, operational credibility and strategic partnerships.
Acting as a key interface between the RAF, the wider MOD, industry and international stakeholders, the role will support senior engagement with the National Armaments Director Group, capability sponsors, acquisition organisations and export campaigns, while ensuring alignment with UK defence priorities and strategic objectives.
As part of Air Capability Futures you may also be assigned responsibility for the management of discrete projects, and occasionally tasked to cover the responsibilities of other members of the team in their absence, or when required.
You will be responsible for;
- Maintaining effective working relationships with the National Armaments Director Group, supporting coherence between RAF priorities, capability development and export activity.
- Contribute to cross-Defence discussions on exportability, industrial coherence and capability positioning.
- Provide military insight into strategic armament and capability discussions where RAF equities are engaged.
- Assist in implementation of the International Collaboration and Exports (ICE) Framework across Air Capability – assisting desk officers in identifying golden threads linked to ICE and shaping likes of IPR and Exports strategy.
- Build and sustain productive relationships with UK defence industry partners to improve understanding of RAF operational requirements and capability pathways.
- Develop and sustain relationships with international military partners, attaché networks and allied defence communities to support UK influence and defence cooperation objectives.
- Support bilateral and multilateral defence engagement and represent the RAF Reserves and sponsoring organisation at meetings, conferences, industry forums and international engagement events as required to support capability and exports cooperation.
- Develop and maintain the Air Cap International & Industry Engagement matrix.
- In cooperation with SO1 Innovation, champion opportunities to apply for external resources.
- Undertake coordination of activity for the Capability Planning Groups (CPG), in conjunction with other stakeholders (where appropriate).
- Develop and manage initial concepts and projects when tasked by AH Integration.
