Strategic Partnership Lead

ABOUT LUMIAIRES

LumiAIres is a Scottish deep-tech company developing neuromorphic photonic chips for edge AI applications. Our technology operates at the intersection of photonics, neuromorphic computing, and artificial intelligence, enabling processing speeds and energy efficiencies that conventional silicon-based architectures cannot match.

We are headquartered in Glasgow and are actively deploying our technology across three high-growth sectors: Aerospace, Defence, and Autonomous Systems. Backed by a world-class founding team and currently executing a seed funding round, LumiAIres is at an inflection point and this role is central to our growth trajectory.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-potential deep-tech startup at an early and formative stage. As Strategic Partnerships Lead, you will be instrumental in building LumiAIres' commercial foundations, owning our customer development, grant strategy, and sector engagement across multiple verticals.

This is a hybrid role combining commercial development, research, and strategic communication. You will work directly with the founding team and report to the CEO/CTO, COO, and CBO.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The role is structured around three core pillars:

1. Customer-Centric Design &​ Research

• Lead a structured programme of user development conversations across our target sectors.
• Produce a comprehensive report on how customer-centric design principles are embedded within LumiAIres' product and go-to-market strategy.
• Identify early adopters, champion relationships, and build a pipeline of engaged customers across Space &​ Defence, Data Centre Orchestration, and Autonomous Systems.

2. Grant Applications — UK &​ European Funding

• Research, identify, and manage grant opportunities across UK and European funding bodies, with a particular focus on French and broader EU innovation funding.
• Write and submit high-quality grant applications across multiple sectors relevant to LumiAIres' technology and roadmap.
• Build relationships with funding bodies and maintain a calendar of upcoming grant cycles.

3. Customer Outreach &​ Sector Engagement

• Mature and scale LumiAIres' client outreach programme, moving from initial contacts to structured engagement.
• Build deep sector relationships across Space &​ Defence, Data Centre Orchestration, Autonomous Vehicles / Sensors, and adjacent verticals.
• Support the development of sector-specific collateral, proposals, and partnership frameworks.
• Contribute to the broader commercial funnel including lead tracking, meeting preparation, and follow-up.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• A strategic thinker with the commercial instinct to open doors and the analytical depth to understand complex deep-tech products.
• Demonstrable experience in grant writing, business development, or partnership management — ideally within tech, defence, space, or adjacent sectors.
• Exceptional written communication skills; able to translate highly technical concepts into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
• Comfort operating in an early-stage, fast-moving environment where structure is built, not inherited.
• Knowledge of European (particularly French) innovation funding landscapes is a strong advantage.
• Fluency in French is desirable but not essential.
• Based in Glasgow or able to commit to Glasgow-based working for the duration of the contract.

CONTRACT &​ PROGRESSION

CONTRACT TYPE

18-Month Fixed Term Contract

LOCATION

Glasgow, Scotland

SALARY

TBC per annum

REPORTS TO

Co-Founders (CEO/CTO, COO &​ CBO)

POTENTIAL FOR PERMANENT ROLE

Yes — Glasgow or Paris (to be determined within the first 12 months of the initial contract)

START DATE

To be agreed

This role is offered as an 18-month Fixed Term Contract based in Glasgow. Subject to strong performance and the evolution of LumiAIres' structure, there is a genuine opportunity to transition into a permanent position within the company, located either in Glasgow or Paris, as the business scales internationally.

WHY LUMIAIRES

• Work at the frontier of photonic AI, technology with the potential to reshape how the world processes information.
• A founding team with deep expertise in photonics, neuromorphic computing, and commercial strategy.
• Exposure to global investors, strategic partners, and government stakeholders from day one.
• A genuinely values-led company building for the long term.
• Flexible, trust-based culture with real ownership and impact.

HOW TO APPLY

To express interest in this role, please send a CV and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience and why this opportunity appeals to you. We are particularly interested in hearing about any grant applications you have led or contributed to, and examples of customer or partnership relationships you have developed.