Mission Systems Manager - Air

We’re looking for a Mission Systems Manager – Air, to join a supportive, multidisciplinary team helping Defence and National Security customers understand how trusted AI/ML systems can address critical operational challenges. In this role, you’ll work at the intersection of customer need, mission context, technical possibility and commercial opportunity, building relationships, shaping opportunities and helping turn advanced AI capability into operational value across the UK Air domain.

Mind Foundry is at an exciting stage of growth, with increasing demand for trusted, deployable AI capability across Defence and National Security. As our mission systems team expands, this role will play a pivotal role in shaping how we build our presence across the Air domain, develop strategic customer and partner relationships, and identify where our technology can deliver the greatest operational value. We specialise in supporting customers to make sense of the ever-increasing volumes of data collected by sensors and systems at the speed of relevance. We often find ourselves working at the edge in complex environments where power, compute, and bandwidth are in short supply.

The Air domain is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for trusted AI to support decision advantage, sensor exploitation, operational analysis, human-machine teaming and the fusion of complex data in demanding environments. As our Mission Systems Manager – Air, you will be responsible for driving Mind Foundry’s growth, including engagement with the Royal Air Force, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), frontline commands, prime contractors, and delivery partners operating in demanding operational environments.

This is a role for someone who wants to combine commercial ownership with mission impact. You will have the autonomy to shape how Mind Foundry grows in the Air domain, while working closely with colleagues across the business to ensure the opportunities we pursue are strategically aligned, technically credible and valuable to our customers. We are looking for someone who thrives as part of a high-performing team: humble yet ambitious, collaborative, and motivated by a strong sense of mission.

Because of the nature of this work:

• You will be required to travel to and work from client sites and partner locations. When not working onsite, this role can be office-based or hybrid from our Summertown, Oxford office.
• You will need to hold existing or be eligible for UK Security Clearance, details of which can be found on the Gov UK website.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and drive forward our business expansion into UK Air domain.
• Build and execute on a sales and go-to-market plan in line with our strategy. You will have a high degree of autonomy. Therefore, experience in sales and/or business development is a must.
• Mind Foundry’s technology offering is world class, novel and innovative. We are looking for someone who understands technology and can articulate the value our technology provides to those organisations that need it.
• Own the end-to-end commercial lifecycle, from market engagement and opportunity qualification through bid execution, contract negotiation, and account expansion.
• Own revenue delivery and growth for the Air domain, including pipeline generation, opportunity management, forecasting, and deal closure
• Articulate the value of Mind Foundry’s AI, translating technical capability into clear operational and mission outcomes for customers
• Build and grow senior customer relationships across the UK Air domain ecosystem, including government customers, primes, and partners
• Expand and develop accounts, securing follow-on work, programme growth, and long-term engagements
• This is a sales-led, commercially accountable role that requires a strong understanding of …