Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shield AI is a defence technology company building intelligent autonomous systems for defence programmes. We are seeking a Senior Manager, UK Security to establish and lead the UK industrial security capability required to pursue and deliver sensitive Ministry of Defence, allied-government, and prime-contractor programmes.
This hands-on leader will serve as Shield AI's senior UK security adviser and, subject to government approval and contractual need, perform the appropriate Facility Security Controller and Personnel Security Controller responsibilities. The role will align UK operations with Shield AI's global framework while preserving UK sovereign requirements and government direction.
What You'll Do
Establish and manage Shield AI's UK security programme across personnel, physical, information, cyber-enabled, and operational security.
Lead readiness for Facility Security Clearance (FSC) and Industry Personnel Security Assurance (IPSA), including gap assessments, secure-site preparations, evidence, corrective actions, and continuing assurance.
Serve as the principal interface with MoD contracting authorities, the Industry Security Assurance Centre (ISAC), United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV), customers, and prime contractors.
Establish and administer the authorised national security vetting process through NSVS, including role validation, sponsorship, clearance verification, transfers, renewals, aftercare, and cessation.
Partner with programme owners to identify positions requiring BPSS, SC, enhanced SC, DV, or other directed vetting, based on contractual need and need-to-know.
Advise Capture, Business Development, Contracts, Legal, and Programme teams on Security Aspects Letters, DEFCONs, classification guidance, flow-down obligations, costs, schedules, and risks.
Develop UK company security instructions, policies, risk assessments, appointment letters, procedures, registers, training, and inspection-ready records.
Lead secure-facility and classified-asset controls, including access, storage, accounting, transmission, destruction, visitor management, Requests for Visit, IVCO coordination, and classified logistics.
Coordinate with Cybersecurity and IT on secure systems, remote-working controls, government assurance, incident response, and remediation.
Work with product security, engineering, Cybersecurity and programme teams to identify UK customer security requirements early, support Secure by Design activities, and ensure product security risks, decisions and assurance evidence are tracked through the lifecycle.
Manage UK security incidents, aftercare reporting, foreign ownership or influence concerns, insider and supply-chain risks, and required government notifications.
Build metrics, budgets, vendors, and the UK security team as the business grows; support occasional out-of-hours response and UK or international travel.
Maintain a UK security risk register covering personnel, physical, information and programme security. Work with Cybersecurity and IT to identify and track relevant cyber risks, and advise or escalate material risks to UK leadership and the Board Level Contact.
What You'll Bring
Required Qualifications
Eight or more years of progressively responsible industrial, government, defence, intelligence, or corporate security experience, including ownership of a UK defence-security programme.
Experience serving as, or directly supporting, a UK Facility Security Controller, Personnel Security Controller, Security Controller, or comparable senior supplier-security role.
Practical experience with FSC or IPSA readiness and assurance, UKSV sponsorship, NSVS administration, SC or DV aftercare, and government inspection activity.
Strong knowledge of the Government Security Classifications Policy, GovS 007: Security, the UK Security Policy Framework, and MoD supplier and contract-security requirements.
Experience establishing or operating secure facilities and controls for classified information, systems, material, visitors, and international engagements.
Strong leadership, judgement, discretion, writing, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to translate requirements into practical processes in a fast-paced technology environment.
British nationality, or qualifying dual nationality including British nationality, subject to government restrictions for designated security-controller duties.
Current SC or DV clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain the required level, plus legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom.
Preferred Qualifications
Current SC or DV clearance and prior appointment as a Facility Security Controller or Personnel Security Controller for an FSC- or IPSA-assured supplier.
Experience standing up a security programme or secure facility and supporting multinational defence, NATO, allied, or AUKUS-related work.
Relevant degree, professional certification, or recognised security-body membership; working knowledge of U.S. industrial security and export-control requirements is advantageous.
Working knowledge of applicable MOD security policy, including JSP 440, and the ability to identify and implement the security requirements specified in contracts.
Familiarity with the MOD Cyber Security Model, Defence Standard 05-138, Defence Cyber Certification, Cyber Essentials and supplier security obligations.
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Our international teammates receive a comprehensive total rewards package aligned to your country office location. For full details on compensation and benefits, please consult your talent acquisition partner.
