Job Description

Job Title: Programme Manager - R&D

Location

:

Maidenhead, Berkshire

Salary Range: 70,000 - 80,000

Interviews: We will shortlist candidates from 5th Jan 2026, 1st stage interviews week commencing 12th Jan.

The Malloy Aeronautics Team:

Malloy Aeronautics Limited specializes in the development of heavy lift unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for both civilian and military uses. Located in Berkshire, our operations are notable for their focus on in-house design and manufacturing. This vertical integration means we control the production of most aircraft components on-site, enhancing our ability to innovate and maintain high standards across all stages of development.

About The Role:

The Programme Manager (R&D) leads the development, delivery, and integration of Malloy Aeronautics' next-generation capability programmes. These include powertrain innovation (motors, ESCs, propellers), advanced battery systems, hybrid propulsion, novel avionics (moving-platform landing aids, AltNav, autonomy, swarming algorithms), and other enabling technologies that underpin the future performance of the T-series platforms.

The postholder drives multiple research, development, and technology maturation programmes through concept, rapid prototyping, system integration, and flight-test phases. They ensure that novel technologies are validated, scalable, and capable of transitioning into prototype aircraft programmes and, ultimately, into production.

This role sits at the intersection of engineering, innovation strategy, and programme delivery. Success requires balancing innovation speed with engineering rigour, safety, and disciplined project management in an unstructured, high-velocity environment.

Ability to hold Security Clearance - 5 years residence in the UK

What you'll being doing (but not limited too):

Lead Malloy's technology development portfolio, from concept and feasibility through prototyping, integration, and experimental flight test.

Build and maintain R&D baselines (scope, schedule, cost), structured around iterative learning cycles appropriate to exploratory work.

Manage multidisciplinary teams across powertrain, avionics, autonomy, systems engineering, prototyping, and trials.

Drive rapid experimentation while ensuring configuration control, technical governance, safety, and airworthiness standards.

Develop and deliver R&D workstreams focused on electric & hybrid propulsion, advanced batteries, high-efficiency props, autonomy frameworks, and novel GNSS-denied navigation systems.

Define and manage integrated technology maturation pathways linking R&D outcomes to prototype aircraft and production programmes.

Lead design reviews, readiness reviews, and gate transitions in line with BAE/Malloy lifecycle expectations.

Manage risks associated with early-stage development, ensuring visibility, contingency planning, and credible mitigation.

Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (Engineering, Flight Ops, Production, Commercial) and external partners (MoD, research labs, suppliers).

Essential Skills and Experiences:

Experience in aerospace, engineering, defence, production, or technology environments

In some businesses, the incumbent would have a budget between 1M to 15M per annum, but typically, the budget responsibility would be at a higher level.

Strong grounding in programme management across R&D, aerospace, defence, experimental flight-test, or prototyping environments.

Understanding of propulsion technologies, avionics, autonomy, or electric/hybrid aerospace systems beneficial.

Familiarity with export-control, safety, and quality requirements.

Ability to lead high-ambiguity, high-tempo technical teams.

Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

Commercially aware; able to support pricing, forecasting, and cost control.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

Degree in engineering or technical management, or equivalent experience.

APM PMQ/ChPP/PMP desirable (or willingness to obtain).

SC eligibility required.

Mentor Project Managers and apprentices, building a strong talent pipeline for emerging programme leaders.

Drive improved governance, reporting, forecasting, and risk/issue discipline across the R&D portfolio.

Support business cases, bid writing, and technical input into commercial proposals based on R&D outputs.

Benefits you may be eligible for:

Working Environment: 9-day fortnight:
o free parking, free lunch on working Fridays', fruit twice a week, tea and coffee.

Company Pension Scheme

Discretionary Employee Incentive Bonus Scheme

Employee Share Incentive Plan (BAE Systems)

20 days Annual Leave, increasing with long service

Healthcare Cash Plan including Virtual GP, Dental Cover, Vision Cover, Discounted Gym Membership, and much more! Free coverage for children under 2 years old.

Employee Assistance Programme (24hr Helpline)

Mental Health First Aiders

Cycle to Work Scheme

Casual Dress

Sick Pay

Maternity & Paternity enhanced leave

We are a Bronze Level Armed Forces Covenant which signals our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

Why Malloy Aeronautics?

Our company benefits from a streamlined process where engineering teams are involved in the entire lifecycle of our UAVs -- from initial design through to production. This setup not only speeds up the development process but also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our product launches. We value professionals who have a background in both research and development (R&D) and design for manufacture, as their expertise is crucial to our rapid and precise product development cycle.

Please be aware that many roles working for Malloy Aeronautics will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.

Malloy Aeronautics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We also want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Note:

If you have not heard from our recruitment department within 14 days, unfortunately you have not been successful.

Malloy Aeronautics and BAE Systems will collect and process information about you that may be subject to data protection laws. For more information about how we use and disclose your personal information, how we protect your information, our legal basis to use your information, your rights and who you can contact, please refer to the relevant sections of our Privacy notice.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 70,000.00-80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Employee stock purchase plan Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free flu jabs Free parking On-site parking Referral programme Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:

Maidenhead SL6 3NJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: MA181