UK Ministry of Defence (DAIC)

Job Description

About The Role

The Ministry of Defence’s digital units ensure the UK maintains its status as one of the most technologically sophisticated Armed Forces globally. We pioneer and manage advanced automation, data science, and cybersecurity initiatives to safeguard the UK and its global interests.

At the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), our objective is to progress the utility of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide the MOD with a competitive advantage. We facilitate the strategic, secure, and ethical implementation of AI across the Defence landscape. Joining the DAIC places you within a premier, multi-disciplinary collective at the vanguard of AI development. You will collaborate with MOD partners, international allies, industry authorities, and academic specialists to define the trajectory of UK Defence AI.

What Your Days Will Look Like

You will lead the delivery of AI capabilities essential to the UK’s national security. Your primary responsibility is to oversee a growing portfolio of AI Pathfinder projects, spanning both operational battlespace and corporate business-space applications.

Portfolio Management: Lead early-stage product lifecycles, acting as an incubator and accelerator for proof-of-value pilots, ensuring successful initiatives are scaled effectively.
Strategic Leadership: Apply product-centric thinking to drive quality and strategic alignment, shaping roadmaps and supporting broad programme delivery.
Capability Building: Recruit, mentor, and coach associate Product Managers to enhance departmental expertise.
Resource Optimization: Balance personnel and assets across teams to ensure outcomes remain consistent with the product vision and deliver maximum value.
Stakeholder Integration: Collaborate with service management and problem owners to ensure technical solutions address mission-critical needs.
Continuous Improvement: Foster an environment of ongoing development within delivery teams to maintain high-performance standards.

This Role Is For You If You Have

We are looking for a motivated leader capable of managing AI products in environments without established precedents.

Adaptability: Comfort operating within high-velocity, complex hybrid delivery environments (Agile/Waterfall interfaces).
Product Ownership: A documented history of applying Digital Service principles to satisfy user requirements and maximize operational efficiency.
Strategic Planning: A clear grasp of the nuance between bespoke customization and scalable product development.
Stakeholder Management: The ability to achieve consensus and drive decision-making across varied customer and delivery groups.
Lifecycle Expertise: Experience incubating digital offerings from initial conception through to live service or scaling.
Security Clearance: Ability to meet and maintain Developed Vetting (DV) security standards.

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	UK Ministry of Defence (DAIC)
Location	Southampton, United Kingdom
Locality	Hampshire / South West
Country	United Kingdom
City	Southampton (Regional Hub)
Region	South East England / South West England
Job Type	Full-time
Salaries	Not specified
Experience Level	Lead / Senior Management
Travel	Regular travel to Corsham, Bristol, and London
Language	English
Benefits	Civil Service Pension, flexible working, Success Profiles development

Skills & Competency Table

Key Skill	Proficiency Level
Product Leadership	Expert
Lifecycle Management	Expert
Stakeholder Alignment	Expert
Strategic Decision Making	Advanced
AI/ML Product Awareness	Desirable
Agile/Waterfall Hybrid Delivery	Advanced

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Annual Salary	Bonus	Total Compensation	Notes
Competitive Base	Civil Service Standard	Base + Pension	Salary aligns with Civil Service Grade 7 or 6 technical roles.

Job Summary

Lead the transformation of UK Defence technology at the Defence AI Centre. You will manage a portfolio of AI Pathfinder projects, steering them from incubator stages to full-scale deployment. This role requires expert product management, strategic stakeholder alignment, and the ability to mentor junior talent in a complex, mission-critical environment.

FAQs

Where are the primary office locations? The main sites are MOD Corsham, MOD Abbey Wood (Bristol), and MOD Main Building (London).
Is AI experience mandatory? While experience with AI, machine learning, or data science is highly valued, the MOD encourages applicants with strong general product leadership skills to apply.
What level of security clearance is required? Successful candidates must be able to obtain Developed Vetting (DV) clearance.
What is the application deadline? Applications are anticipated to close on 12 January 2026.
How is the interview structured? It includes a Microsoft Teams interview assessing specific behaviors and a short presentation on a related topic.

Expert Analysis

This is a quintessential “Pioneer” role within the public sector. Unlike standard commercial product management, the Lead Product Manager at DAIC must navigate the ethical and safety constraints of AI while interfacing with traditional Waterfall military procurement. Success requires high emotional intelligence to bridge the gap between “fail-fast” tech culture and mission-critical military reliability.

Location & Logistics Guide

The role is listed for Southampton but functions across a “Defence Golden Triangle” of Corsham (Cyber/Digital hub), Bristol (Procurement hub), and London (Policy hub). Regular travel via the M4 corridor and Great Western Main Line is essential for maintaining stakeholder alignment across these strategic sites.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton

Career Path

A Lead Product Manager in the DAIC is positioned for senior executive roles such as Head of Product or Director of Digital Transformation within the Civil Service. The specialized experience in AI lifecycle management also makes this individual highly sought after for Global CTO or Product VP roles in the private defense and aerospace sectors.

To apply for this job please visit talents.studysmarter.co.uk.