BDSUS Science & Technology Desk Officer

Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO UK); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) programme

Generous leave

Competitive insurance options

World-class learning & development

Job summary

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC seeks an Air or Land Science and Technology lead to strengthen UK-US Defence S&T collaboration and influence senior decision-makers.

You will coordinate bilateral activities, provide expert briefings, and support engagements with MOD, Dstl, and industry partners within a highly international team.

This hybrid role offers flexible hours and opportunities for remote work where operational needs allow.

Qualifications

• Must be British.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisations and international partners.
• Experience in UK defence, capability development, science and technology, innovation, research, acquisition or related fields.
• Strong communication, briefing and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Lead UK-US engagement across either Land or Air capability, science and technology communities (about 30%).
• Bilateral Collaboration and Programme Coordination (about 30%).
• Advice, Analysis and Briefing (about 10%).
• Innovation and Capability Development (about 10%).
• Senior Engagements and Visits (about 10%).
• Representation and Wider Team Contribution (about 10%).

Job description

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Defence Science and Technology team as the Air or Land Science and Technology lead. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US - contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

In either role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

The successful candidates will support the UK-US Defence Science and Technology relationship, helping to strengthen collaboration across defence capability, innovation, research and technology communities. Working with senior stakeholders across MOD, Dstl, Front Line Commands, US Government and industry partners, you will identify opportunities for collaboration, facilitate bilateral engagement and provide advice on emerging technologies and capability developments.

These roles support the UK’s broader strategic objectives in Defence Science and Technology collaboration, and wider technology prosperity and offers valuable experience in international engagement and cross-government collaboration.

We’re looking for a self-starting, proactive, and collaborative professional with experience in the delivery of Defence Science and Technology collaboration. You’ll bring strong stakeholder management, communication and technical skills and a commitment to high-quality work at pace.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Lead UK-US engagement across either Land or Air capability, science and technology communities (about 30%): You will develop and maintain effective relationships across UK and US defence, science, technology and capability communities. The post holder will be expected to maintain and leverage senior stakeholder relationships, and influence accordingly. You will act as a key point of contact for stakeholders in MOD, Dstl, Front Line Commands, government agencies and partner organisations, helping to identify opportunities for collaboration and advance UK strategic priorities.
• Bilateral Collaboration and Programme Coordination (about 30%): You will support the delivery of UK-US science, technology and capability cooperation activities across the Land or Air portfolios. Each post holder will lead a defined Defence Science and Technology portfolio, with specific responsibilities aligned to the domain technical working group. You will coordinate meetings, working groups, information exchanges and collaborative initiatives, ensuring actions are progressed and stakeholders remain effectively engaged. The post-holder will be accountable for driving progress against agreed portfolio objectives, ensuring that engagement, collaboration opportunities and follow-up actions are actively managed.
• Advice, Analysis and Briefing (about 10%): The role requires the post-holder to provide authoritative advice and analysis on complex technical, capability and policy issues, translating these into clear recommendations for senior decision-makers. To enable this, you will provide high-quality advice, analysis and briefing material to senior military and civilian leaders on emerging technologies, research developments, capability priorities and international engagement opportunities. You will translate complex technical or policy issues into clear and actionable recommendations for decision-makers.
• Innovation and Capability Development (about 10%): You will maintain awareness of developments in defence capability, emerging technologies and innovation activities relevant to UK and US priorities. You will identify opportunities for future collaboration and support efforts to align research and technology initiatives with operational and capability requirements.
• Senior Engagements and Visits (about 10%): You will plan, coordinate and support senior UK and US stakeholder visits, engagements and events. This includes developing programmes, arranging meetings and briefings, coordinating with host organisations and ensuring engagements deliver meaningful outcomes for UK Defence.
• Representation and Wider Team Contribution (about 10%): The role will contribute to the UK’s wider Defence Science and Technology objectives by identifying opportunities, managing risks and supporting senior-level UK-US collaboration. You will represent BDSUS at meetings, workshops and engagements with government, military, industry and academic partners where appropriate. You will contribute flexibly to wider Research & Technology Team, Defence Section and Embassy activities, supporting collective objectives and cross-cutting priorities.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organisational needs.

Essential on arrival:

Must be British.

Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Ability to work collaboratively across organisations and international partners.

Experience in UK defence, capability development, science and technology, innovation, research, acquisition or related fields.

Strong communication, briefing and organisational skills.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Language requirements:

Level of language required: Expert

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Current UK Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).

Experience working with UK and US partners or in an international environment.

Knowledge of US Defence Land and/or Air capability, science and technology programmes.

Experience analysing complex technical, capability or policy issues and providing advice to senior leaders.