Head of Development (Global Technology)

Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology organization is seeking a Head of Development for Global Technology to lead strategic initiatives in technology development. This role involves guiding innovative projects that impact national security and public infrastructure and requires extensive R&D experience. The ideal candidate will possess Chartered Engineer status and a strong ability to communicate across global teams. This position supports hybrid working arrangements and offers competitive compensation alongside substantial benefits.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Holiday Trading options

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading research and development.
• Strong communication skills across global territories.
• Proven success in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
• Ability to translate technical concepts to various audiences.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction and lead technology development initiatives.
• Engage at both strategic and technical levels.
• Turn promising technologies into scalable solutions.
• Build collaborations to drive innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic mindset

Communication

Project management

Education

Chartered Engineer status with a degree in science or engineering

Job description

Head of Development (Global Technology)

Location: Bristol, BS16 1EJ

Onsite or Hybrid: Hybrid

Job Title: Head of Development (Global Technology)

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70301

Lead strategic technology that powers national security - shape innovations that matter.

At Babcock, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as Head of Development Global Technology at Bristol Business Park, near Bristol, City of Bristol.

The role

As Head of Development Global Technology, you will set the strategic direction and lead a diverse portfolio of technology development initiatives that cut across defence, aerospace and engineering. It is a role with genuine impact: the products and services you enable contribute to national security and public infrastructure, while giving you scope to lead, learn and grow.

Day-to-day, your work will accelerate innovation, generate new intellectual property, and translate emerging technologies into real capabilities supporting our sectors and Direct Reporting Countries to deliver internal efficiencies, customer retention, market growth and entry into new markets.

• Lead the Technology Development pillar, setting strategy and ensuring technical excellence across a portfolio aligned to Babcock’s strategic technology themes.
• Identify, shape and manage projects that turn promising technologies into scalable, secure solutions for defence and critical national infrastructure.
• Engage and architect at strategic level while diving into technical detail to support the full technology lifecycle.
• Build collaborations across sectors and countries, validating partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises and academia to drive innovation.
• Champion outcomes, ensuring delivery that supports efficiencies, growth, and new market entry with strategically aligned products and services.

This role is full time, 37.5 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements with days in the office and days working from home.

Essential experience of the Head of Development (Global Technology)

• Extensive experience leading research and development in industry, customer-side or academia.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across functions and global territories.
• Proven success thriving in fast-paced, dynamic environments with competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Strategic mindset, curiosity and motivation to develop broad expertise across emerging technologies.
• Ability to translate technical concepts into high-level plans for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Qualifications for the Head of Development (Global Technology)

• Chartered Engineer status with a degree in science or engineering.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.

What we offer

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading – buy additional leave or sell up to one working week of annual leave
• ‘Be Kind Day’ – one working day’s paid leave (or equivalent hours) a year to volunteer with your chosen organisation or registered charity
• Flexible working — more options to integrate work and personal life while meeting business needs
• A dynamic working environment

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.