Defence Curriculum Technical Expert- Robotics UAS

RNN Group; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers pension scheme

Up to 50 days annual leave

Gym, restaurant and salon access

Wellbeing and Occupational Health

Flexible working hours

Free parking

Funding for teacher training/apprentix

STEM teaching grants up to £6,000

Referral scheme £200

Job summary

RNN Group is recruiting a Defence Curriculum Technical Expert in Robotics UAS at our Dearne Valley Campus, Rotherham. The role drives advanced aerospace training, collaborating with MoD and industry partners to deliver cutting-edge robotics education.

The post leads curriculum design, staff development and standard setting, with a focus on safeguarding and inclusive learning pathways into high-tech careers. Excellent benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Teaching credential (PGCE, Cert Ed or equivalent).
• Professional qualification in Robotics, Avionics or UAS.
• Experience coordinating course pathways, schemes of work and IQA/moderation frameworks.
• Strong ability to bridge MoD, SMEs and academic networks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with MoD, prime contractors and suppliers to engineer training packages.
• Lead train-the-trainer initiatives and coach delivery teams.
• Establish and enforce the unified DTEC Technical Standard across networks.
• Monitor autonomous flight roadmaps and update schemes of work accordingly.

Skills

Teaching credentials

Robotics/UAS expertise

Curriculum leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding & inclusion

Education

Robotics/UAS qualification

Job description

Defence Curriculum Technical Expert - Robotics UAS

Location: Dearne Valley Campus, Rotherham

Salary: Up to £43,672 per year plus benefits

Vacancy Type: Full time (37 hours each week, all year-round)

Closing Date: 23rd November 2026

Are you an expert in autonomous systems, drone ecosystems, or aerospace robotics? RNN Group is seeking a forward-thinking Defence Curriculum Technical Expert (DCTE) in Robotics UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) to head sector-leading training at our Defence Technical Education Centre (DTEC).

This high-profile role places you at the absolute cutting edge of aerospace and defence training, helping to bridge advanced industrial innovation with classroom delivery to future‑proof the nation’s technical workforce. Drive the Digital Edge of Defence Innovation

Key Responsibilities:

• Industrial Co-Design: Partner alongside the Ministry of Defence (MoD), prime contractors, and tier ½ aerospace suppliers to engineer bespoke training packages.
• Staff Capability Building: Lead train-the-trainer initiatives and coach laboratory and delivery teams to confidently teach DTEC-developed robotics frameworks.
• Standard Enforcer: Establish, embed, and enforce the unified DTEC Technical Standard across regional spoke networks and training hubs.
• Horizon Scanning: Monitor fast‑evolving autonomous flight roadmaps and industrial tech advancements to rapidly re‑engineer modern schemes of work.

Who You Are

We are looking for a highly adaptive, resilient subject specialist with high technical credibility and a passion for capability building. You may draw your experience from Further/Higher Education or an internal aerospace/defence training and L&D department.

Essential Criteria:

• Teaching Credentials: Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, or equivalent).
• Sector Expertise: Appropriate professional qualification in a relevant Robotics, Avionics, or UAS specialism.
• Curriculum Leadership: Strong background coordinating a course pathway, planning schemes of work, and managing IQA/moderation frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Exceptional ability to bridge technical capability gaps between MoD stakeholders, SMEs, and academic networks.
• Values-Driven: Highly committed to safeguarding, data protection, and building inclusive, accessible learning pathways into high‑tech careers.

Note: Level 4 technical training, an assessment qualification (TAQA/A1), and leadership experience are highly desirable.

Department Info

Your line manager will be an assigned Curriculum Manager with separate reporting to the Group's DTEC Defence Lead. You will regularly report on your objectives on a range of KPI's including (but not limited to) student recruitment, retention, anticipated achievement, quality of curriculum, teaching and training, incremental progress, skills development, attendance and punctuality.

You will liaise with all staff that teach/support in your area of technical expertise, monitoring performance indicators and provide day to day guidance and support to Lecturers, assessors & associated teaching and support staff in your teams through, regular team meetings and PDR process.

You will be part of a Curriculum and Department team and will work with other teaching staff to develop and share good practice in the curriculum areas, which will include cross‑campus and you may be required to participate in cross college teams or working groups on key projects.

Our excellent benefits and rewards package:

• Access to the Teachers pensions scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6% to 23.68%)
• Up to 50 days annual leave per year (35) including closure during Christmas period
• Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons
• Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in‑house Occupational Health service
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
• Free Parking available at all of our sites
• Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications
• New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the teacher retention initiative
• Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made

What is the RNN Group?

RNN Group's main goal is to be an 'outsta