Job Description

This role is available full-time for 37 hours per week Monday to Friday


Flexible or compressed working patterns available


This role will be based predominantly on site with occasional travel to other government sites



HMGCC is a site of engineering excellence like no other, and now we are searching for a talented tech expert to lead the way in our trailblazing work for national security.


This is an opportunity to take on one of the most complex, but exciting leadership positions in national security - at a transformational time for our historic organisation.


The impact of our Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role is seen every day in vital operational work across the globe. Your knowledge and skills could play a very real part in helping keep the UK safe.


Are you a visionary person who could set the strategic direction for our engineering specialists? Can you connect HMGCC to the best innovators both in government and the private sector?


We are looking for a new CTO to ensure that HMGCC's technologies and capabilities keep us ahead of the UK's adversaries. Our focus at HMGCC is on technologies, hardware, software, systems that are designed to operate in hostile or contested environments. We call this Operational Technology. As CTO, you will identify the challenges and problems of our colleagues in national security mission teams and find extraordinary and creative ways of solving these through technology.


We have a simple strategy:

World-class engineering x working with the world's best innovators = keeping the UK ahead of its adversaries

You will report to HMGCC's CEO and will be a member of our five-person Executive team.

More about you

We are looking for an extraordinary leader who will:

Have the ability to inspire and develop high-performance, inclusive teams. This is a role not just for an individual contributor, but someone who can lead others and innovate. Have experience seeking inspiration from diverse industries such as aerospace, tech startups, motor racing, biotech, telecoms, space, and consumer electronics. Be an effective ambassador for HMGCC, using your contacts, market awareness and networking skills to develop innovation networks in wider government and the private sector. Turn your knowledge of innovation ecosystems to help HMGCC forge new partnerships and take these into the creation of real products and technologies to help national security. Be able to thrive in ambiguity and create simplicity out of complexity. Be able to get to grips with the challenges of national security mission teams and find creative technological solutions. Have experience in technologies designed to operate in hostile or contested environments.

To strengthen your application, it would be beneficial if you also have:

Experience of working with young companies, including startups, Venture Capital (VC) - backed companies, and SMEs, as well as with established primes in defence and national security.

Your personal skills

You'll be somebody who:

Sees the bigger picture, and anticipates the long-term impact on HMGCC of economic, environmental, social and technological developments, both nationally and internationally. Drives innovation and change, seeking, encouraging, and recognising initiative and imaginative ideas from a wide range of people inside and outside HMGCC. Provides customer value, using customer insights to drive high-quality and efficient delivery. Delivers outcomes, establishing an inclusive culture which allows people space and authority to be innovative and take well-judged risks. Makes effective decisions, acting decisively and making bold, transparent and unbiased decisions at a strategic level. Leads inclusively, making yourself visible and approachable to all colleagues and stakeholders. Works collaboratively, proactively creating, maintain, and promoting strong contacts across the organisation and externally.

Key responsibilities

Shape HMGCC's technology and wider business strategy and influence the broader UK national security system. Develop external partnerships and collaborations for the best outcomes for HMGCC and UK national security. Work closely with HMGCC's Product and Engineering teams to create operational outcomes from new technologies. Act on insights from intelligence, academic research, and a network of external collaborators to understand the state of the art in relevant technology domains. Line-manage two Deputy CTOs and the Head of Strategy and Transformation. Lead the teams developing HMGCC's information systems and engineering networks.

What we offer

Now we've explained what you'll be doing, here's what we can offer you in return:

A positive, collaborative and inclusive work environment. 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 after 5 years' service. 8 Bank Holiday days off in addition to your annual leave. 2 additional days leave (set dates through the year). Pension. Our Pension scheme is Alpha. It's competitive. Paid overtime or time off in lieu. Your salary is for your contracted hours. If you work more, we believe you should be rewarded for that. Flexible or compressed hours to support you to balance your life with your work. Paid parental and adoption leave and neonatal policy. Training. Lots and lots of training. This can be anything from a day internal course to a distant learning degree. If it's relevant to your career, we will aim to support you. Opportunities for mentoring and coaching. Free secure parking and allocated parking for car shares. Affinity groups - whether you are a person with a disability, part of the LGBTQIA+ community and/or from an ethnic minority background, we provide an inclusive environment, support and a variety of networks for everyone. Free onsite gym, open 24 hours a day. Bike to work scheme. Multi-faith Prayer room. This is a quiet contemplation room for staff to use for prayer or reflection. 3 days paid leave a year to support a registered charity of your choice. Sports & Social Society. Whether its classic cars or baking, golf or crafting, we have a society for you. We offer regular subsidised theatre tickets and on-site activities. On site cafe and restaurant. On site nursery (subject to availability). Relocation Loan.

About HMGCC

We are HMGCC, the engineering specialists at the heart of the UK's national security.


We work with the national security community, UK government, academia, private sector partners and international allies to bring engineering ingenuity to the national security mission, creating tools and technologies that drive us ahead and help to protect the nation.


We invest in our people, not only with training but also support throughout your career with us; to allow you to reach your full potential at work, as well as enjoy the work/life balance many aspire to.


To find out more about us and if we're right for you, please visit our website.

Equal Opportunities

Inclusion and diversity really matter to us. It's not just about numbers or visible differences.


HMGCC i committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities or who are neurodiverse.


We're not looking for any one type of person. We're looking for talent from all different backgrounds to join our organisation, where we genuinely respect and value each other's differences, as well as our similarities. It makes us even better at what we do.


We are proud to offer candidates the opportunity to apply through the Offer of Interview Scheme. The scheme ensures eligible candidates are selected for an interview as long as their application meets the minimum criteria for the role. To find out more and how you can apply under this scheme, please see the inclusion and diversity information on our website.

Apply now

Discover more by clicking 'apply'.


Our recruitment team will process your application once the role has closed. Everyone will get a response.


Please note, dependent on the recruitment requirements, we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date.


For more information about the role please contact confidential@recruitmentoffice.org.uk

* If you are relocating to the area and renting a property then we can offer an interest-free relocation loan of up to 2,500, which is to be repaid in instalments over a period of 24 months.