Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre

Location

MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR, MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB

Please note that there will be regular travel required to other sites.

Job summary

The MOD's digital teams ensure we remain among the most technologically advanced Armed Forces in the world. We develop and lead in cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity solutions to protect the UK and its interests, at home and abroad.

At the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), our mission is to advance the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to give the MOD a decisive edge. We drive the ambitious, safe, and responsible adoption of AI across Defence, to make the difference where it matters most. Joining the DAIC means becoming part of a world-leading, multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of AI innovation. You'll be working closely with partners across the MOD, international allies, government agencies, industry leaders, and academic experts to shape the future of UK Defence AI.

Step into the forefront of innovation at the DAIC and become part of a pioneering team that's at the forefront of transforming Defence technology

Job description

You'll be at the forefront of delivering the AI capabilities needed to support the UK's Defence. You will lead and manage a small and evolving portfolio of AI Pathfinder projects, covering both battlespace and business-space applications of AI. These AI Pathfinders will typically be in the early stages of the product life cycle, as early incubators, accelerators or proof-of-value pilots, with those which are successful being scaled. In some cases, you will lead the team delivering the product, in others you will partner with existing development teams across defence.

You'll apply product thinking to this portfolio, driving quality, value, and strategic direction. Working across teams, you'll shape product strategy, manage roadmaps, and support programme delivery. Alongside product and people management, you'll provide wider leadership and help build capability by recruiting, mentoring, and coaching junior Product Managers.

You will play a key role in maintaining stakeholder alignment and delivering innovative, mission-critical outcomes that harness AI to strengthen the UK's Defence.

This role also involves:

• Balancing resources between teams, to ensure the overall outcomes are aligned to product vision and use of resources are optimised to deliver best value.
• Work with service management teams, for example ensuring these have timely access to products and information so they can support them.
• Develop and execute product strategy that keeps key stakeholders informed, aligns to product vision, and ensure customer value is prioritised.
• Provide the engagement and information needed to enable users to make the most of a product across its life cycle.
• Work with problem owners to ensure problems are fully understood and product solutions meet their needs.
• Encourage and facilitate continuous improvement of delivery teams.

Person specification

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to lead on AI products in the absence of established patterns or precedents. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, perceptive, and comfortable working in a fast paced and complex environment.

You will have experience working in hybrid delivery environments where Agile interfaces with other methodologies such as Waterfall, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively and reach pragmatic compromises. You will have a track record of applying Digital Service principles to meet user needs, maximise value delivery and operational efficiency. A clear understanding of the distinction between product development and bespoke customisation is essential, along with proven experience in strategic planning, product ownership, and maintaining a strong user-focused approach.

Experience with AI, machine learning, or data science products or programmes would add value, but don't worry if you don't have this, we'd still love to hear from you

When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a statement of suitability (max. 1250 words) demonstrating the
essential criteria
listed below:

• Explain your experience of incubating digital products from the start of their life cycle and into scaling and/or live service.
• Explain your experience of managing competing deadlines while keeping your team engaged, motivated, and aligned with key priorities.
• Describe your ability to build partnerships with customer and delivery teams, achieve consensus and drive strategic decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.

Do you want to hear more about this role? We would love for you to join us, and learn more from members of the team, at our upcoming candidate brief, being held on
16/12/25 @ 5pm.
To confirm your attendance, please email us, using your personal email at
ukstratcomdd-hr-
with your name and the CSJ reference number. We will then forward you a Microsoft Team's invite to be able to join on the day.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply, please upload your CV in the relevant section on the Civil Service Jobs dashboard, ensuring it clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. You must also submit a personal statement (
maximum 1,250 words
) providing evidence of how you meet these criteria.

Here is a link to our video which gives you helpful tips and guidance on the CS Jobs application process: Watch

The interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams, and we'll assess you against these Behaviours and Technical Skills:

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership

Technical Skills:

• Lifecycle Management
• Product Leadership

If invited to interview you will be expected to deliver a short presentation on a related topic. The subject of this will be advised nearer the interview time. We anticipate that applications will close 12 Jan 26, with interviews currently planned for week commencing 26 Jan 26 to provide those called forward for interview with time to prepare
.
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for interviews or assessments.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service