Air Capabilities Lead

Our mission is to bring to our customers the actionable intelligence they need to make the best decisions faster.

The Air Capability Lead is a new position within the recently created Tekever Defence Division.

Tekever Defence is responsible for the development and delivery of Tekever’s capability offering to the Defence market. It is split into 4 main departments – Defence Technologies, Delivery, Operations, and BD & Strategy.

Defence Technologies is the main technology hub for Tekever Defence and is made up of engineers, technicians, project managers and capability experts. The division is planned to be co-located between Bath and the Tekever R&D facility and airfield in West Wales. Its core role is to work alongside the wider Tekever enterprise to design and manufacture new and innovative capabilities that address critical needs for NATO Defence markets. As first and foremost a technology company, Tekever invests its own resources to develop new products for the defence market that are offered on a ‘COTs’ or ‘MOTs’ basis.

The Air Capability Lead will be responsible for the development and delivery of new capabilities for the air domain leveraging core Tekever competences in the fields of UAS, autonomy, and software development. This will mean developing a deep understanding of Defence’s air and anti-air warfare problems and acting as Tekever’s lead advisor for this market to guide product development choices.

Your core mission is to drive the generation of novel product ideas that will have a battlefield winning impact on NATO air domain capabilities. This could be the introduction of a UAS based sensor to enhance the survivability of combat air systems, an ISR support concept for rotary platforms or the design of a new air platform for a novel purpose. You will manage your ideas from end to end in the product lifecycle supported by Tekever’s cross functional team of technical, operations and support staff. This will mean project managing the realisation of your concepts, from design through to trials, customer demonstration and their eventual sale. Thinking pan-DLOD will be critical, especially in regard to how Tekever can integrate its ideas into current doctrine and systems.

Developing close relationships through NATO’s Air Capability branches will be essential.

This is a wide-reaching role with a high degree of autonomy and authority. You will be entrusted and empowered to deliver and will need to be comfortable working in a highly demanding environment. You will need to be an exceptional matrix leader, managing cross functional teams across Tekever, ranging from specialist engineers and BD professionals to graphic designers and operational personnel. Above all you will need to be an innovative thinker – you will have a passion for solving defence problems and a drive to see your ideas to fruition. You will also be a fast learner and need to quickly develop and champion a comprehensive understanding of Tekever’s core technologies and products.

You will be an expert in an element of air/anti-air warfare with strong competence across the domain. You will have a proven track record in military aviation or comparable experience in industry or government service. You will have a strong understanding of military aviation end users, practical experience of the challenges they face and will come to the role with a range of ideas how innovative technological developments can help. Knowledge of adversary threat systems and doctrine would also be an advantage.

A technical education at degree level will be a benefit but not essential; critical however is your ability to quickly understand technical concepts and represent them to technical and non-technical audiences.

You will be based in Bath with an expectation of at least 3 days a week office working. You will also be expected to travel frequently (minimum 20%) to other locations in the UK, Portugal and Europe.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of Tekever’s Air domain capability concepts for UAS and autonomy;
• Generate new and novel product ideas applicable to the air domain;
• Act as the sponsor and project manager for Air Capability projects within Tekever;
• Develop close and trusted relationships with Air Capability branches, R&D institutes and operational units across priority NATO countries;
• Deliver specialist Air domain advice to other areas of the Tekever business;
• Support the wider Tekever Defence business as required.

Essential Competencies:

• Service with a NATO Air Force in a relevant branch OR equivalent experience within defence industry or government agency;
• Proven leadership experience of a cross-functional team including technical staff;
• Proven experience of driving new and novel approaches to problem solving in a defence context;
• Understanding of air doctrine and employment concepts.

Desirable:

• Project Management Qualification (e.g. PRINCE 2, APM PMQ, Agile-based qualifications);
• An undergraduate degree in a STEM subject;
• Post Graduate education in relevant field;
• Experience of air operations in a combat or support role;
• Experience of the defence capability and procurement cycle with a focus on the air domain;
• Technical knowledge of at least one specialist area of air capability area;
• UAS and Airspace Industry Knowledge (Aircraft/Sensors/Systems);
• Specialist technical knowledge of at least one major capability within the air domain.

If the above excites you then we can offer an attractive salary package and pension scheme. We will give you an annual leave allowance of 25 days plus Bank Holidays and we have an employee assistance programme to support you should you need it.

As an Armed Forces friendly company we will guarantee an interview to all applicants from the Armed Forces community (serving, veterans, and forces family members) as long as the essential criteria of the role is met.

Location:
To be part of a world class UAV provider, you will be required to travel around the world.

APPLICATION PROCESS: please email and include your CV along with a covering letter. We would like to hear why you believe you would be a good fit for this role, along with highlighting any relevant experience and skills for the position. You will be invited for an interview if your CV has been shortlisted for the position.

SECURITY: SC Clearance would be required at a minimum. DV Clearance a nice to have. Tekever will be able to help through the process if required.

Type of Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension;
• Sick pay;
• Wellness programme;
• Pension Contribution.

Supplemental pay types:

• Performance bonus.

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required).

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required).

Work Location:

• UK, Portugal, US, Europe

Visit our LinkedIn page at HTTPS://WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/TEKEVER/

If the above excites you, apply now! Send your CV to JOBS@TEKEVER.COM.