Technology Development Lead - Aerospace

NCC – Innovating for Industry; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 64,122 - 77,183; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual salary reviews

Company-paid private medical insurance

Up to 12.5% employer pension contribution

Focus on wellbeing and learning/development

Job summary

A technology development organization in Bristol is seeking a Technology Development Lead for Aerospace. The role involves leading technology programs, creating roadmaps, and providing technical oversight. Ideal candidates will have significant knowledge of composites technology, strong project management skills, and an engineering degree. The position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience of collaborative R&D programmes in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience with private and public sector organisations.

Responsibilities

• Head technology development programme/s utilising all relevant process and tools.
• Help create technology roadmaps in support of the NCC technology strategy.
• Provide technical oversight with the relevant Chief Engineer or Technologist.

Skills

Significant technical knowledge of composites technology

Strong Technical project management experience

Experience of complex, industry-led multi-partner programmes

Management experience in a strategy & delivery role

Education

Engineering Degree or equivalent industrial experience

Job description

Join to apply for the Technology Development Lead - Aerospace role at NCC – Innovating for Industry

NCC – Innovating for Industry provided pay range

This range is provided by NCC – Innovating for Industry. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Technology Development Lead - Aerospace

Location: Bristol based with Hybrid working

Salary: £64,122 - £77,183 Depending on Experience + Benefits

Closing Date: 25th January 2026 – We reserve the right to close this advert early if required.

About the role:

As demand grows, we are expanding our Technology Team and recruiting a Technology Development Lead who will be accountable for the development of strategic technologies in support of the overall business strategic priorities.

This specific role will be to take responsibility for the technology development needed to support the growing Aerospace portfolio at the NCC. This pivotal role will help shape, specify and deliver the next generation of manufacturing technologies needed to support future aircraft programmes.

Reporting to the Head of Technology Development, your role will support the strategic relationships with key partners and stakeholders, both nationally and internationally, to ensure the NCC is well positioned at the creation stage of large, influential strategic initiatives. You will also be accountable for the delivery of identified projects and programmes in line with the defined strategic objectives to time, cost and quality in line with processes.

What you’ll be doing

• Head technology development programme/s (region and/or technology focused) utilising all relevant process and tools
• Help create technology roadmaps, in support of the NCC technology strategy
• Actively support the internal and external communication of technology activities and achievements
• Provide technical oversight, directly or in partnership with the relevant Chief Engineer or Technologist
• Support the NCC Technology Team in horizon scanning to identify strategic development prospects and/or partnership that can enable the NCC to mature existing, and/or foster nascent, market opportunities
• Support the NCC Strategy Team to ensure the wider NCC strategy and business planning is effective and reflective of changing landscapes and arising opportunities

So, what are we looking for?

• Significant technical knowledge of composites technology, its development and application across multiple sectors
• Engineering Degree or equivalent industrial experience
• Strong Technical project management experience
• Experience of complex, industry-led multi-partner programmes involving private and public sector organisations
• Significant experience of collaborative R&D programmes in an interdisciplinary environment (academia and industry)
• Management experience in a strategy & delivery role within an innovation-intensive industrial sector, consultancy, or public sector body

What do we offer in return?

Hybrid and flexible working patterns as standard, annual salary reviews, company paid private medical insurance, up to 12.5% employer pension contribution, great people, honorary staff status at the University of Bristol. With a genuine focus on wellbeing, EDI and learning and development this is a chance to build your career in a thriving R&D facility with a bright future.

Who are NCC?

We bridge the gap between academia and industry, helping companies of all sizes to capitalise on cutting-edge innovations to deliver more. We do this at every stage of their journey and across the entire product lifecycle, from the earliest concept to end-of-life.

Part of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and the University of Bristol, we’ve evolved from our origins as the National Centre of Excellence in composite technology. We provide a gateway to world-class expertise, advanced facilities, and industrial collaboration. A not-for-profit organisation, we leverage these assets to complement our customers’ capabilities, helping them to develop their people, grow, compete, and succeed through technology and product leadership. As well as working with industrial partners, we help create the conditions that enable UK innovators and industry to thrive. This includes providing national and local decision-makers with insight and evidence to inform strategy, policy, and investment decisions.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Engineering and Project Management

Industries

Research Services