SO2 AI & ML

A vacancy has arisen for a Sqn Ldr (Any) to serve as SO2 Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning  at HWY on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 16 November 2026.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are central to delivering operational advantage and decision superiority in a contested, data-driven battlespace. This post will lead the coherence, prioritisation and assured transition of Air’s AI & ML experimentation, working at pace whilst remaining aligned to Defence-level governance, the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), and the digital ecosystem that underpins integration and scale. As Air’s focal point for AI & ML experimentation and exploitation, with particular responsibility for cohering ongoing projects ensuring they are positioned to successfully transition into enduring capabilities, appropriately owned across Defence or by RAF Digital.

The post’s responsibilities are:

1. Lead and cohere Air’s AI&ML experimentation portfolio, setting direction and priorities aligned to operational outcomes.
2. Provide oversight of AI&ML activity, ensuring projects address clear user needs and are positioned for successful transition into enduring capability, without duplicating project-level delivery.
3. Align Air activity with the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), leveraging Defence-wide support, expertise and delivery routes.
4. Advocate for and exploit emerging AI&ML technologies, working with National Armaments Digital and Data and RAF Digital to enable integration and scale.
5. Enable the transition of AI&ML prototypes into operational capability, ensuring appropriate ownership, assurance and sustainment.
6. Shape Air’s AI&ML research priorities with Dstl, linking operational challenges to future capability development.
7. Engage with industry and academic partners to track developments and strengthen Air’s position within the wider AI ecosystem.
8. Provide clear reporting and advice to governance bodies, supporting prioritisation, risk management and informed decision-making.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Sqn Ldr, Lt Cdr, Maj (Any) or a Flt Lt (Any) 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.

• Developed Vetting security clearance. Applicants that do not hold DV vetting are still eligible to apply, but no formal offer will be made until award of DV clearance.

1. Experience of leading mixed Service and Civil Service teams.
2. Experience aligning AI initiatives to enterprise platforms and shared services (cloud/edge hosting, integration patterns, identity/access, and data governance).
3. Experience working with Defence’s digital delivery and/or governance (portfolio boards, design authorities, digital ecosystem stakeholders).
4. Experience shaping research priorities with S&T organisations (e.g., Dstl) and translating research outputs into exploitation pathways.
5. Experience engaging industry/academia partners to track trends, evaluate options, and develop coherent demand signals.
6. Familiarity with AI assurance concepts (robustness, evaluation in operational context, safety and trust considerations).
7. Practical literacy in modern data/AI toolchains and environments (data platforms, notebooks, model registries, CI/CD concepts for ML, monitoring), sufficient to direct and assure work delivered by specialists and project teams.

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

Name:    Wg Cdr Ash Cheek

Tel:         0303 371 8904

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports (as required). 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 Ash Cheek, ash.cheek222@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 14 August 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 14 September 2026, however this could change should a promotion board be required.

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 5 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(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements.

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 at RAF HWY

Personnel serving on VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation