Engineering Manager

Description:

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead the engineering function, ensuring complex UAV systems are developed, integrated, tested and delivered to the required technical, quality and programme standards.

You will combine hands-on technical leadership with team management, engineering planning and delivery oversight.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical and electronic engineering.
• Oversee the full engineering lifecycle, from requirements and initial design through prototyping, manufacture, integration, testing and delivery.
• Provide technical leadership across UAV platforms, avionics, flight controllers, autopilots, communications links and associated subsystems.
• Coordinate engineering resources, technical priorities and delivery schedules across multiple programmes.
• Oversee system integration, ground testing, flight trials and engineering validation activities.
• Manage engineering risks, design reviews, configuration control and technical change.
• Work closely with manufacturing, flight operations, suppliers and subcontractors to resolve technical challenges and ensure successful product delivery.
• Develop and improve engineering processes, documentation and quality standards in line with ISO 9001.
• Support engineering assurance, safety and airworthiness requirements relevant to unmanned aircraft systems.

Essential Experience

We are looking for someone with:

• A degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Systems Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Significant engineering experience within UAV/UAS, aerospace or defence airborne systems.
• Demonstrable experience delivering airborne hardware or integrated systems through development, build, testing and deployment.
• Strong multidisciplinary technical understanding, particularly across mechanical, electrical/electronic and avionics integration.
• Experience leading engineering teams, technical workstreams or multidisciplinary development programmes.
• Practical knowledge of systems integration, verification, validation and technical problem-solving.
• Experience with engineering governance, configuration management, design reviews and technical risk.
• The ability to work in a fast-moving engineering environment where technical leadership and practical delivery are equally important.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance.
• Must be able to talk fluently and unprepared about autopilots and flight controllers, C2 links, flight test practice, and the UK airworthiness and export-control context.