Regulation Innovation (Sandboxes) Manager

DSIT

At DSIT were all about improving peoples lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Governments 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving peoples lives. Whether its researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Find Out More

We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm

You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/

The Role and Our Team

Having the right regulatory frameworks in place is a key delivery mechanism to achieve innovation and growth in the space sector.

The Space Industry Act 2018 (SIA) and Space Industry Regulations 2021 provide a modern, flexible framework to enable commercial launches, spaceport operations, range control, satellite and novel and emerging space activities to be carried out within the UK. The SIA sits alongside the Outer Space Act 1986, which continues to apply to operations outside the UK, by UK entities.

But space is a rapidly advancing sector, with innovators and investors seeking to bring new and novel mission types to market and a recent step-change in the number and cadence of satellite launches. It is essential that regulation adapts to keep pace.

In May 2024, Government identified key areas for regulatory reform through the publication of a comprehensive Space Regulatory Review (SRR). This review was developed collaboratively with industry, academia, investors and independent regulators.

The SRR identified the need for clarity, certainty and confidence, setting out seven outcomes with 17 recommendations providing the strategic framework for space regulatory reform. A programme is live which is jointly delivering its recommendations across HMG, regulators and the sector.

In March 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer published the Regulation Action Plan, calling for a One-Government approach to remove excessive risk aversion to foster innovation and economic growth. In the Industrial Strategy, Government also set out our commitment to ensure that regulation supports and keeps pace with innovation, contributing to the reduction in administrative cost of regulation for business by 25% across sectors and prioritising regulatory reform for the UKs frontier industries.

Building on this ambition for space, in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, Government committed to identifying rapid-growth areas for innovative regulatory testing tools and sandboxes, providing up to 7 million in additional funding, and to deliver the recommendations set out in the Space Regulatory Review.

Jointly leading the new xHMG Regulation xCutting Activity governance alongside the Department for Transport, UK Space Agency are committed to driving forward the reforms to:

Leverage regulation as a strategic tool to accelerate the development of national capabilities.

Reduce regulatory admin and compliance costs on businesses while streamlining processes to ensure a responsive, agile regime that accelerates growth and innovation.

Influence emerging international frameworks, guidelines and best practice to promote collaboration and trade.

Reduce threats and hazards to space operations through proportionate regulation.

The postholder will work with the wider UKSA regulation team and across UKSA, DfT, xHMG, the space sector and the independent regulators in the Civil Aviation Authority and Ofcom to stimulate growth and innovation by maximising the benefits of innovative approaches to Space Regulation, including delivering a multi-million pound, multi-year programme of regulatory sandboxes and other innovative regulatory testing tools.

Key Responsibilities

Scope out opportunities for regulatory sandboxes and other innovative testing tools, with up to 7million funding available, identifying regulatory gaps and barriers to the adoption of new technologies.

In partnership with HMG stakeholders, independent regulators and the sector, deliver regulatory sandboxes to successful completion, ensuring milestones are met and that innovative regulatory testing tools provide outputs to support the rapid safe introduction of new technologies and activities.

Support departmental policy input to sandbox topics, in addition to engagement xHMG, with independent regulators and the sector, to manage interdependencies.

Support co-ordination of space contributions to xHMG commitments on regulatory reform and innovation.

Support governance as required of the new xHMG Regulation xCutting Activity Board, in partnership with DfT and wider HMG stakeholders and independent regulators.

Regular engagement with stakeholders in the space sector and xHMG.

Essential Criteria

Strong stakeholder engagement skills-managing complex stakeholder relationships to support delivery

Experience of delivering effectively cross-government

Experience of engaging and working in partnership with the UK space sector

Experience of programme delivery and/or managing grants

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge of UK regulation and/or wider space policy