Job profile

Director of the National Centre for Marine Autonomy Description We are seeking an exceptional senior-level individual to provide strategic leadership to establish the NCMA and Plymouth as the UK’s nationally recognised centre of excellence for marine autonomy. About the role In June 2025, Plymouth was announced as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy (NCMA), a reflection of the significant investment by partners in capabilities and capacity to support the development, testing and deployment of autonomous marine technologies. Reflecting this and the government’s priority to support the development of autonomy as a fundamental pillar of its Defence Investment Plan, the NCMA is a cornerstone of the city’s Defence Growth Deal, through which significant MoD investment will be made in the NCMA’s capabilities to support both defence and civilian applications of autonomous systems. You will lead through a “team of teams” model, bringing together Defence, industry, academia, regulators, local government, investors and national partners into a coherent ecosystem that can accelerate research, experimentation, assurance, testing, trials and operational adoption at pace. A key requirement is to develop and deliver a nationally and internationally significant programme of trials, testing and innovation exercises, including a major dual-use autonomous maritime exercise in 2028. This will support SME’s access to world class facilities and demonstrate Plymouth’s ability to rival leading international experimentation environments. By providing a permissive, safe and operationally relevant environment that enables Defence, industry and academia to develop, assure and scale autonomous capabilities in support of national security, economic growth and the Royal Navy’s aspiration for a Hybrid Navy. The role will be employed by the University of Plymouth but will work within a partnership governance framework, providing visible leadership across the NCMA, in support of the Team Plymouth and Defence Growth Deal delivery structures. You will be expected to maintain confidence across partners by providing clear direction, transparent reporting, effective risk management and a relentless focus on delivery outcomes. Lead the establishment and ongoing development of the NCMA as a safe, agile and reliable ecosystem for marine autonomy, using a coherent “team of teams” approach across Defence, industry, academia, regulators, local and national government and partners. Work with Partners to provide the vision, leadership and delivery discipline required to design and deliver a nationally significant programme of trials, testing and experimentation for uncrewed and autonomous maritime systems in and around Plymouth. Create a visible and investable national ecosystem for autonomous maritime capability by connecting Plymouth’s research base, testing facilities, operational expertise, waterfront assets, commercial partners and innovation strengths. Establish effective governance,