Lead AI-Cyber Defence Strategist

Dstl; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Specialist allowance £2,758/year

Civil Service Pension

Onsite facilities

Flexible working

Job summary

Dstl seeks a Principal Cyber Artificial Intelligence Specialist to shape AI-enabled defence capabilities and lead across AI and cyber programmes. You will guide technology decisions, ensure safety, and influence strategic direction in high-impact environments.

You will mentor teams, collaborate with government, industry and academia, and drive policy development while maintaining strong leadership and clear communication under demanding conditions.

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant STEM discipline or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience with AI technologies in development, evaluation, assurance or operational settings.
• Deep knowledge of AI concepts including generative AI, large language models, foundation models and autonomous systems.
• Experience providing technical leadership across complex programmes or strategic initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AI governance, assurance, risk management, safety and responsible AI principles.
• Excellent communication skills to explain complex technical issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders using evidence-based advice.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in complex, high-consequence environments.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking capability.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction across AI-enabled cyber research, development and capability programmes.
• Identify, evaluate and exploit emerging AI technologies and methodologies to shape future capabilities.
• Lead the assessment, assurance and governance of complex AI systems, ensuring informed and evidence-based decisions are made.
• Act as a senior technical authority, providing expert advice to customers, stakeholders and delivery teams.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across government, defence, industry and academia.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to solve complex technical and operational challenges.
• Influence technology strategy, policy development and future research priorities.
• Mentor senior practitioners and enhance organisational capability through knowledge sharing and professional development.
• Promote innovation, technical excellence and the responsible adoption of AI within cyber and national security environments

Skills

Technical leadership

AI technologies

Stakeholder influence

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Problem solving

Education

STEM degree

Electronic Engineering

Embedded Systems

Computer Science

Physics

Mathematics

Job description

Dstl seeks a Principal Cyber Artificial Intelligence Specialist to shape AI-enabled defence capabilities and lead across AI and cyber programmes. You will guide technology decisions, ensure safety, and influence strategic direction in high-impact environments.

You will mentor teams, collaborate with government, industry and academia, and drive policy development while maintaining strong leadership and clear communication under demanding conditions.