Air Chief Technologist (Chief Technology Officer)

Job Title: Air Chief Technologist (Chief Technology Officer)

Location: Warton/Samlesbury, Hybrid, 3 days per week on site

Salary: Circa £95,000 plus performance bonus and car allowance

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.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As Air Chief Technologist, you will play a key role in shaping the long-term technology strategy for the Air Sector. Working across engineering, manufacturing, digital and business functions, you will help identify, mature and exploit technologies that support future capability, customer requirements and business growth.

This is a highly influential leadership role, combining strategic technology direction with collaboration across industry, government, academia and the wider technology community. You will help ensure the Air Sector remains at the forefront of innovation while developing the technology talent and partnerships needed for future success.

Core duties:

• Develop and maintain the Air Technology Strategy, aligning technology investment and capability development to business objectives
• Lead the identification and assessment of emerging technologies, ensuring risks and opportunities are understood and appropriately managed
• Oversee the Air Sector technologist community, supporting capability growth, governance and talent development
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with customers, academic institutions, industry partners, funding bodies and regulators
• Lead university engagement activities, research partnerships and low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) initiatives
• Champion technology across the Air Sector, influencing future product and capability development

Essential Skills:

• Experience operating in a senior technology, engineering or innovation leadership role
• Ability to develop and implement technology strategies within a complex engineering environment
• Experience engaging and collaborating with stakeholders across industry, government and academia
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams within a matrix organisation
• Understanding of technology development, innovation and future capability planning

The Technology & Capability team:

The Technology & Capability team is responsible for shaping the future technology direction of the Air Sector. Working across a broad technology landscape, the team helps identify opportunities, develop partnerships, influence future capability and ensure the business has the technology expertise needed to meet current and future customer challenges.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

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.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 25th August 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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