About Bornea
Bornea (UK) Limited develops advanced technologies for defence, aerospace, security, and space applications. Our work spans artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, signal processing, sensing technologies, robotics, and embedded computing. We work with government, military, and commercial customers to develop innovative solutions from concept through deployment.
We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Country Head (UK) to lead the growth and strategic direction of our UK business. This is a senior leadership role responsible for expanding Bornea's presence within the UK and European defence, security, aerospace, and government sectors while overseeing the successful delivery of research and development programmes.
The Role
The Country Head will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and growth of Bornea (UK) Limited. Reporting to our Canadian leadership team, the successful candidate will develop and execute the company's UK strategy, build strong customer relationships, lead business development activities, oversee programme delivery, and grow a high-performing engineering organisation.
This role combines commercial leadership, technical programme oversight, operational management, and customer engagement. The successful candidate will represent Bornea across government, industry, and academia while ensuring the continued delivery of innovative technologies to UK and international customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the strategic growth plan for Bornea (UK) Limited.
- Lead business development activities across defence, security, aerospace, and government sectors.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with organisations including the UK Ministry of Defence, Dstl, Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), UK Space Agency, Innovate UK, ESA, prime contractors, and industrial partners.
- Identify and pursue new contract opportunities, research programmes, and strategic partnerships.
- Lead the preparation of competitive technical and commercial proposals.
- Oversee the successful delivery of customer-funded R&D programmes from concept through completion.
- Provide leadership and direction to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop technical and management staff as the UK business grows.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the highest technical standards.
- Manage UK operational activities including budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and financial performance.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, export control, quality, and security requirements.
- Represent Bornea at customer meetings, industry events, conferences, exhibitions, and technical working groups.
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Work closely with Bornea's Canadian leadership team to coordinate international projects, technology development, and corporate strategy.
Essential Requirements
- Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Business, or a related discipline.
- Significant leadership or technical experience within the UK defence, aerospace, security, or advanced technology sectors.
- Demonstrated success in business development and winning government-funded research and development contracts.
- Strong understanding of UK defence procurement and innovation organisations, including Dstl, DASA, MOD, Innovate UK, or UK Space Agency.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering or technical teams.
- Proven programme or project management experience involving complex technology development.
- Strong commercial awareness and financial management capability.
- Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to develop trusted relationships with government, industry, and academic partners.
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance.
Desirable Requirements
- Experience delivering defence or aerospace research programmes involving artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, sensing technologies, electronic warfare, robotics, or space systems.
- Existing network of contacts across UK defence, government, and industry.
- Experience working with SMEs and technology innovation programmes.
- Knowledge of UK and international export control and security requirements.
- Experience with ISO 9001 quality management systems.
- PMP, PRINCE2, Chartered Engineer (CEng), or equivalent professional qualifications.
- Experience working within international engineering organisations.
- Understanding of technology commercialisation and intellectual property management.
What We Offer
Bornea provides the opportunity to lead a growing high-technology company developing advanced capabilities for defence, aerospace, security, and space applications. You will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business while working alongside an experienced international engineering team delivering innovative technologies for government and commercial customers.
Benefits include:
- Competitive executive salary and benefits package.
- Significant performance-based incentive opportunities.
- Influence over the strategic direction and growth of the UK business.
- Opportunity to lead nationally significant defence, security, and space programmes.
- Close collaboration with international engineering teams and customers.
- Professional development and executive leadership opportunities.
- Flexible and dynamic working environment focused on innovation and technical excellence.
Pay: From £105,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Profit sharing
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
