Founder’s Associate – Commercial & Strategy
Location: United Kingdom
Department: Strategy and Commercial
Reporting to: Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
About the Client
We are working with a leading space-technology innovator developing autonomous software systems for the next generation of orbital defence and space operations.
Their mission is to deliver resilient, AI-driven spacecraft capabilities that enable satellites to detect, assess and respond to threats in contested orbital environments without dependence on continuous ground control.
Their work spans mission autonomy, orbital simulation, guidance, navigation and control, machine vision, reinforcement learning and advanced software deployment for sovereign UK and allied defence capability.
As the company grows, they are looking for an ambitious Founder’s Associate to work closely with the CTO across strategic, commercial and product-focused initiatives.
The Role
This is a hands-on, early-career role for someone who combines strong analytical and writing skills with commercial awareness, creativity and a genuine interest in advanced technology.
Working directly with the CTO, you will support multiple areas of the business. This will include developing commercial proposals, researching markets and competitors, exploring new products and solutions, preparing strategic briefings and turning early-stage ideas into structured plans.
You will also identify and respond to opportunities across defence, space, government innovation and research programmes, working with technical specialists to translate complex capabilities into persuasive proposals and customer-focused solutions.
This is not a narrowly defined bid-writing or administrative position. It is an opportunity to work closely with the leadership team, gain exposure to important business decisions and own projects that directly influence the company’s growth.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Support
- Support the CTO across strategic, commercial, operational and product priorities.
- Conduct research and analysis to inform company planning and leadership decisions.
- Turn early-stage ideas into structured proposals, presentations and recommended actions.
- Prepare briefings and materials for customer, partner and leadership meetings.
- Track key initiatives and take ownership of defined projects across the business.
Market and Competitor Intelligence
- Monitor developments across defence, space, autonomy, artificial intelligence and dual-use technology.
- Track competitors, emerging technologies, customer requirements and market activity.
- Produce concise market updates and competitor briefings for the leadership team.
- Identify market gaps, commercial opportunities and emerging threats.
- Research government priorities, procurement activity, funding programmes and policy developments.
Product and Solution Development
- Work with the CTO and technical team to explore new product and solution ideas.
- Translate customer problems and market requirements into potential product concepts.
- Research how emerging technologies could address future defence and space challenges.
- Support the development of solutions for customer opportunities, funding calls and partnerships.
- Produce clear business cases and presentations explaining the operational and commercial value of proposed solutions.
- Challenge assumptions and contribute new ideas to product and market discussions.
Commercial Proposals
- Identify relevant procurement, grant, research and innovation opportunities.
- Support bid/no-bid decisions by assessing strategic fit, requirements and probability of success.
- Draft and edit expressions of interest, commercial proposals, capability statements, grant applications and tender responses.
- Translate complex technical information into clear and persuasive language.
- Develop value propositions, executive summaries and win themes that differentiate the company.
- Coordinate input from engineering, product, commercial, finance and external partners.
- Ensure submissions are complete, compliant and delivered on time.
Business Operations and Special Projects
- Support cross-functional projects that contribute to company growth.
- Help improve internal processes, information sharing and decision-making.
- Maintain a library of company information, market research and proposal content.
- Support the creation of customer presentations and strategic briefing packs.
- Step into new areas of the business when additional research or project support is required.
Required Skills and ExperienceEssential
- Excellent written English and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Commercial awareness and an interest in how technology companies develop products, win customers and enter new markets.
- Intellectual curiosity and the confidence to contribute ideas and challenge assumptions.
- The ability to understand technical information and adapt it for different audiences.
- Strong organisation and time-management skills.
- Confidence working directly with senior leaders and technical specialists.
- A proactive approach, with the ability to take ownership and work with limited supervision.
- Competence using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel, or equivalent tools.
- Right to work in the United Kingdom.
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance.
Desirable
- Up to three years’ experience in consulting, strategy, business development, bid writing, market research, product or a related role. Strong graduates are encouraged to apply.
- A strong academic background in engineering, science, economics, business, politics, international relations or another relevant discipline.
- Exposure to defence, aerospace, space, autonomy, robotics, artificial intelligence or deep technology.
- An understanding of public-sector procurement, government funding or innovation programmes.
- Experience researching markets, analysing competitors or developing commercial recommendations.
- Previous experience within a startup, scale-up, consultancy or technology business.
What We’re Looking For
Our client is looking for someone with energy, intellectual curiosity and the ambition to build a career within a fast-growing defence and space technology company.
You will enjoy moving between different types of work. One day you may be analysing a competitor or researching an emerging market; the next you may be developing a customer proposal, exploring a product idea or preparing a strategic briefing for the CTO.
You will be comfortable working without a rigid playbook. Instead of waiting to be told exactly what to do, you will investigate problems, develop options and recommend a clear way forward.
Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to work closely with an experienced technical founder and help turn ambitious engineering ideas into products, partnerships and operational capability.
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 12 months, you will have:
- Become a trusted partner to the CTO across strategic and commercial priorities.
- Developed a strong understanding of the company’s technology, customers and target markets.
- Produced market and competitor intelligence that informs leadership decisions.
- Contributed valuable ideas to new products, solutions and commercial opportunities.
- Supported high-quality proposals across defence, space and innovation programmes.
- Taken ownership of cross-functional projects from initial idea through to delivery.
- Introduced more structured processes for research, opportunity tracking and proposal development.
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to build your career at the intersection of defence, space, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and company building.
You will work directly with the CTO and leadership team, gaining exposure to product development, commercial strategy, customer requirements and major business decisions.
As the company grows, you will have the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility and develop towards a career in strategy, product, business development, commercial leadership or company operations.
Pay: £35,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
