Samuel Seaton, CEng
Engineering Leader. Digital Innovator.
Bridging UK Defence operations with the full power of Cloud & AI.
A cleared Chartered Engineer and Royal Navy Officer with 14+ years' experience translating complex operational needs into scalable, data-driven solutions.
About Me
From High-Stakes Operations to Hands-On Innovation
My career has been spent at the intersection of high-stakes operations and deep engineering. As a Royal Navy Air Engineer and Helicopter Pilot, I’ve led multi-disciplinary teams of up to 50 in complex global environments.
I saw the critical need for better digital tools and created a new role as a Digital Innovation Lead to spearhead transformation. I don't just talk about strategy; I build solutions. I've architected a novel AI application on Google Cloud, led projects from PoC to production on platforms like Palantir Foundry, and served as the project sponsor for Defence Digital software teams.
Now, I'm focused on using this unique blend of operational credibility and technical skill to help UK Defence harness the full power of cloud and AI.
Case Studies
Proof of What I Do
Royal Navy Readiness Application
The Challenge:
A critical operational process was manual, slow, and error-prone, impacting mission readiness.
My Action:
Led the project from an initial PoC (Power BI, REST APIs) to a full, productionised application on the Palantir Foundry platform. Secured all resources and managed the full project lifecycle.
The Result:
Delivered a 90% efficiency gain and was recognised as an exemplar of digital innovation within UK Defence.
AI-Powered Workforce Tracking (Google Cloud)
The Challenge:
Senior executives held a key business uncertainty regarding the tracking of workforce hours.
My Action:
I personally architected and developed a novel proof-of-concept Python application to demonstrate a clear path to solving the business problem.
The Technology:
The solution used machine vision on Google Cloud to automate the tracking process.
Programmatic Squadron Planning Tool
The Challenge:
Existing planning processes were inefficient, causing frequent and costly re-planning cycles.
My Action:
Served as project sponsor and product manager, securing investment from Defence Digital. Translated complex business needs for the engineering team and managed all stakeholders.
The Result:
The proof-of-concept tool delivered a >20% increase in planning efficiency.
Core Competencies
My Technical & Leadership Toolkit
Cloud & Architecture
- GCP Professional Cloud Architect (awaiting exam)
- GCP Digital Leader
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Enterprise Data Fabric Strategy
Data, AI & Development
- Palantir Foundry Certified
- Python (inc. Pandas)
- Google AI Studio
- Data Science Methodologies
- Flight Data Monitoring
Leadership & Delivery
- Chartered Engineer (CEng)
- ILM Level 7 Leadership Diploma
- ScrumMaster Certified (SMC)
- Agile & SDLC
- Risk Management & Airworthiness
Security & Access
- Cleared to a high government standard
- Valid until October 2029
Career Timeline
A High-Level Journey
2023 - Present
Digital Innovation Lead & Engineering Lead
RNAS Yeovilton
Trusted advisor to executives on digital tech. Lead SME for aircraft data systems. Co-founded the air station's innovation hub.
2017 - 2023
Flight Commander & Pilot
Royal Navy
Commanded a £30M helicopter and multi-disciplinary team on global deployments. Accountable for mission success and risk management.
2013 - 2015
Deputy & Deployed Air Engineer Officer
Royal Navy
Managed a 50-person engineering team to deliver >95% operational availability. Managed a change programme for a £750M aircraft capability upgrade.
Education
MEng & PGCert
MEng, Aerospace Engineering - Swansea University
PGCert, Military Science & Leadership - King’s College London
Let's Build What's Next
I am transitioning from the Royal Navy in July 2026 and am actively seeking opportunities as a Customer Engineer or in a similar technical advisory role within the UK defence technology sector.
If you're looking for a leader who speaks fluent 'operations' and 'engineering' and can help your team solve real-world challenges, I'd love to talk.
Ich freue mich darauf, von Ihnen zu hören. (I look forward to hearing from you.)