BD Principal - Nuclear Fission
digiLab · Bristol
digiLab is a formative AI company with world-leading specialists in uncertainty quantification, applied where the stakes are highest and the margin for error is smallest.
Our customers are among the largest and most advanced engineering and science-led organisations in the world, and they're using our technology to tackle some of society's biggest challenges. How do we make fusion energy a commercial reality? Can we drive down the cost of renewable energy and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future? How do we support coral reef restoration, or strengthen Britain's national security? These are just a few of the critical questions our technology is helping to answer.
At the heart of our work is digiLab's trustworthy and explainable AI platform, enabling our customers to accelerate innovation, reduce risk, and deliver real value through better informed decisions.
We are looking for ambitious team members to help shape our pioneering technology and tackle some of the world's most impactful problems.
Summary:
The Nuclear Fission Principal is a strategic, results-driven role responsible for driving growth and strengthening digiLab's presence in the Fission market: a champion for digiLab in the target market, building and managing a robust network of strategic clients and partners, deepening long-term relationships, and collaborating with Product, Marketing and theLab to support sustained sector growth. This is a market-building role, deliberately measured before revenue is booked: you create and qualify the demand the pod converts.
The Role:
As Business Development Principal - Fission at digiLab, you will be responsible for:
- Creating and executing sector-specific business development strategy, set jointly with the Commercial Lead — the Principal leading its market arm, the CL its commercial arm —and aligned with company growth objectives.
- Building, qualifying and managing a strong pipeline of strategic clients and partners in Nuclear Fission— carrying the funnel from first contact to accepted, qualified handover— that the commercial team can act on without starting again.
- Building market presence and credibility: events, speaking, panels, company content, published technical content and joint material with our engineering and research teams.
- Establishing and maintaining long-term, high-value client and partner relationships to support sustained sector growth- the CL owns the commercial terms of transacting through them.
- Collaborating with Product, theLab and Marketing to feed sector insight, customer feedback and market intelligence into roadmap, platform and campaign priorities.
- Monitoring sector trends, competitive dynamics and regulatory considerations to inform growth priorities.
- Keeping the CRM the system of record for the pipeline you originate and the relationships you hold: qualified against MEDDPICC and kept current through to handover.
- Adopting AI tools to assist and accelerate your work.
Duties may evolve, and you may be asked to take on other reasonable responsibilities within your competence to support our growth.
Required Skills
- Significant experience in business development, partnerships or sales within Nuclear Fission, with a live network across its primes, programmes and end-customer estate.
- Demonstrable experience creating pipeline where none existed: sector plan, target list, outbound, events, partnerships — and a disciplined qualification habit with the willingness to disqualify early.
- The ability to hold a technical conversation with engineers and a commercial one with directors, in the same week and about the same problem.
- Strong understanding of Nuclear Fission market dynamics, trends and the regulatory landscape.
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills across technical, commercial and finance audiences
- Ability to work collaboratively with Forward Deployed Engineers, Account Managers and the pod Principal
In addition, some 'nice to haves' are:
- A STEM degree
- Computational competence
- Experience in deep tech or SaaS
- Experience with public-sector or framework procurement routes
- Security clearance eligibility where the sector requires it.
Location:
The position operates on a 4-day workweek (Monday to Thursday) with regular travel to client sites and other digiLab office locations. The role could be based in our Exeter, Bristol, or London offices or potentially remotely/hybrid, if the location is strategically advantageous.
As an ambitious, rapidly-growing start-up, we’re looking for proactive, adaptable people who thrive in a fast-paced environment. Our standard working hours are 9.00–5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, though some flexibility outside these hours may be required to meet business needs.
Our Culture and Values
At digiLab, we're building something we truly believe in, and we're looking for like-minded people.
We foster a culture of innovation, trust, and collaboration. Our values include:
- Creativity & Agility: Encouraging innovation and flexibility in goal achievement.
- Trust & Responsibility: Supporting each other in taking calculated risks for bold innovation.
- Open & Honest Collaboration: Ensuring transparent communication and alignment.
- High-Performance Standards: Continuously challenging ourselves to excel in delivery.
- Value-Driven Work: Regularly assessing our contributions toward company goals.
Benefits:
We value enthusiasm and loyalty, and we’re committed to offering a great work-life balance. Along with the exciting challenges this role provides, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Competitive Salary
- Personal & professional development
- BUPA private health care (via salary sacrifice)
- Company Cashplan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Referral Program
- Regular social events such as pizza nights, kayaking, bouldering and bake offs
Equal Opportunities:
digiLab is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and legally compliant. We take equality, dignity, and non-discrimination seriously.