SO2 AiX Project Manager

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr (Any Profession) to serve as SO2 RCO AiX Project Manager at Cody Technology Park, Farnborough on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 30 November 2026 or sooner subject to candidate status.

The Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), Air Information eXploitation, RCO AIX is an experimental team, working with its Industry partners, other technology suppliers, and the Defence scientific and technology community to develop novel data solutions to current RAF frontline demand signals.  As part of the RCO, the RCO AIX is at the forefront of Air Capability enhancement working with Air Capability Futures, and Air Capability Strategy.

The post demands a mature, energetic, and technically astute individual who is self-reliant and with wide range of project management experience.  As the RCO AIX Project Manager focussing on cyber & security related projects, a broad understanding of military CIS, in the round, is required.  It is important that the successful candidate has experience of one or more of the following areas: Cyber Operations, Information Technology Security and Accreditation of Information Technologies.

The successful candidate must have the right attitude to working within a diverse organisation with good powers of expression and the ability to articulate complex requirements to non-cyber experts.

A successful candidate will be perceptive and responsive to changing circumstances, able to make rapid decisions without supervision and support those decisions with evidence.  They must be confident, articulate and enthusiastic, able to interact with Senior Leadership, through good written and verbal communication skills.

Roles and responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Lead RCO AIX cyber and security requirements that enable project activities.
• Seek innovation and practical ways in which the RCO can contribute to, and potentially employ or enable cyber capabilities.
• Support the delivery of assigned projects by providing timely expert military advice at all stages of the project lifecycle, working closely with the security lead from the RCO Industry partner.
• Desk level engagement with CSOC, other FLCs, industry partners the S&T community and Accreditors on all aspects of security to drive coherence and development opportunities.
• Assist with the security management of projects and aid the understanding of risks and issues through the project lifecycle.
• Support project capability development trails, including those associated with operationalisation, including NATO/FVEYS and other Allied Partners.
• Maintain relevant cyber and information security knowledge of military capabilities and future military needs including lessons learnt and identified risks and opportunities.
• To ensure that appropriate SHEF, D&I and Security procedures and standards are adhered to throughout the RCO portfolio of activities projects and operations.

(Officers) Must either have been, or currently be, Squadron Leader (Any Profession). Major (Any) or Lieutenant Commander (Any) or a Flight Lieutenant (Any Profession) eligible for promotion (RAF Only) in accordance with AP 3393 Vol 1 and AP 7000. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board.

• This appointment requires DV clearance, which, if not already held, will be initiated on appointment – no formal offer will be made until DV approved
• Understanding of RAF capability, force development and industry.
• Experience of engaging senior stakeholders across Defence, government or industry.
• Ability to operate credibly in politically sensitive and commercially informed environments.
• Excellent briefing, influencing and relationship-management skills.

Experience of:

• MOD acquisition, or capability functions.
• Engagement with defence industry and commercial partners.
• Senior leadership or ministerial briefing.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Wg Cdr R Wilson

Email: Robert.Wilson539@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 4 appraisal reports. Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Wg Cdr Rob Wilson - Robert.Wilson539@mod.gov.uk and Sqn Ldr Jo Weston – Joelle.weston100@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 25 September 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 05 October 2026 depending on promotion board requirement.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 3 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent substantive rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant: this position will not be offered on promotion to sister Services.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available.