Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Lead, UK
London, England
About the role
Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Lead, UK
> Mesa Quantum Systems · London, United Kingdom · Full-time · Posted 2026-06-09
Workplace: on_site
Description
About Mesa Quantum UK
Mesa Quantum is building the next generation of quantum sensing and Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies for applications spanning defence, critical infrastructure, aerospace, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing.
Our mission is to transform quantum technologies from laboratory demonstrations into scalable, deployable systems that solve real-world problems. As we expand our presence in the United Kingdom, we are seeking a Strategic Partnerships & Business Development Lead to help establish Mesa Quantum UK as a key participant within the UK's defence, government, industrial, and research ecosystems.
Role Overview
This is a unique opportunity to help build Mesa Quantum UK's presence from the ground up. We are looking for an ambitious, highly motivated individual who thrives at the intersection of technology, strategy, and relationship-building. You will work directly with company leadership to develop strategic partnerships, identify growth opportunities, build stakeholder relationships, and help position Mesa Quantum UK as a trusted partner across the UK's innovation, defence, and deep-tech ecosystems.
The ideal candidate understands how emerging technologies move from research into real-world deployment and is comfortable engaging with stakeholders across government, defence, academia, industry, and funding organisations. They are equally comfortable discussing technical concepts with researchers, strategic priorities with government officials, and commercial opportunities with industry partners.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of a growing deep-tech company while helping advance the UK's leadership in quantum technologies.
Key Responsibilities
• Drive strategic initiatives across four core areas: Ecosystem Development, Partnerships & Business Growth, Funding & Strategic Initiatives, and Market Intelligence.
• Build and manage relationships across government, defence, academia, industry, and the broader UK quantum ecosystem.
• Represent Mesa Quantum UK at strategic meetings, conferences, workshops, and industry events.
• Establish Mesa as a trusted and visible participant within the UK innovation landscape.
• Develop partnerships, collaborations, demonstrations, pilot programmes, and commercial opportunities.
• Identify and support opportunities through Innovate UK, UKRI, MOD, DSTL, DSIT, and related funding programmes.
• Help assemble partnerships and consortia for collaborative projects and grant applications.
Requirements
Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Business, Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, government engagement, defence, technology commercialisation, innovation programs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry, academia, or technology organizations.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience leading complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organizations.
• Ability to understand and discuss advanced technologies and their commercial, strategic, or operational applications.
• Willingness to travel across the UK as required.
Preferred
• Experience working within or alongside UK MOD, DSTL, DSIT, Innovate UK, UKRI, Catapult Centres, defence primes, national laboratories, or research institutions.
• Existing network across the UK defence, quantum, aerospace, photonics, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or deep-tech ecosystems.
• Experience securing, managing, or supporting government-funded R&D programs, grants, collaborative research projects, or innovation initiatives.
• Experience building partnerships between startups, universities, government organizations, and industrial partners.
• Familiarity with quantum technologies, sensing, photonics, navigation systems, advanced manufacturing, or other frontier technology sectors.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a technical, scientific, business, or policy-related discipline.
We are less concerned with a specific career path and more interested in candidates who have demonstrated an ability to build trusted relationships, create opportunities, and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
Why Join Mesa Quantum UK
This is not a traditional business development role. You will work directly with company leadership to help establish Mesa Quantum UK's presence, shape strategic relationships, and accelerate the deployment of technologies that have the potential to transform navigation, timing, sensing, and national security.
You will have significant ownership, visibility, and influence from day one. If you are excited by the challenge of building partnerships, creating opportunities, and helping a deep technology company grow, we would love to hear from you.
