Ventures Technology Lead - 12 months FTC

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

We are looking for a Ventures Technology Lead to play a pivotal role in identifying, evaluating, and accelerating next-generation sensing technologies and industrial solutions. This is a unique opportunity to influence strategic investment decisions, support venture creation, and drive innovation within a high-value portfolio focused on circular economy opportunities.

Working closely with Product Managers, Portfolio Directors, Chief Scientists, and external technology partners, you will assess emerging technologies, conduct technical due diligence, and help define the roadmap for future ventures. Your expertise will be instrumental in translating market opportunities and customer needs into robust technical strategies and scalable solutions.

What You'll Be Doing

• Evaluate the technical feasibility, differentiation, and scalability of sensing-based technologies and industrial solutions.
• Partner with Product Managers to shape technology strategy and identify emerging market opportunities.
• Lead technical assessments and due diligence activities for new ventures, partnerships, and innovation initiatives.
• Develop technology roadmaps and provide recommendations that inform investment and portfolio decisions.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, including business leaders, scientists, engineers, academic institutions, startups, and technology vendors.
• Translate customer and market requirements into actionable technical evaluations and development plans.
• Support the acceleration of venture investments by providing clear technical insight and risk assessments.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and corporate policies.

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with commercial awareness and strategic thinking.

You will bring:

• Deep knowledge of sensor technologies, hardware systems, software development, artificial intelligence, and data-driven solutions.
• Experience assessing emerging technologies and their commercial potential.
• A track record of working within large, matrix organisations and influencing diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to engage effectively across internal teams, external partners, academia, startups, and technology providers.
• Experience developing technical strategies, roadmaps, and feasibility assessments.
• The ability to balance technical depth with business priorities and investment considerations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and decision-making skills.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to directly influence the future direction of a growing portfolio with a projected five-year value of approximately £400 million. Your work will help shape investment decisions, accelerate innovation, and bring transformative technologies to market.

If you are passionate about emerging technologies, venture innovation, and solving complex industrial challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the next generation of sensing and circular economy ventures.

• The successful candidate will bring strong expertise across sensor technologies, hardware systems, software development, artificial intelligence, and data-driven solutions. They will have a proven track record of operating within complex, matrixed organisations, collaborating effectively across cross-functional teams and a diverse ecosystem of external partners, including academic institutions, startups, and technology providers.

• Combining deep technical knowledge with strong commercial acumen, the individual will be able to evaluate emerging technologies, assess their strategic and commercial potential, and provide clear recommendations that support investment decisions. Their ability to influence stakeholders, shape portfolio strategy, and accelerate innovation will be critical to driving the success of current and future ventures.

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.