Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering – Bristol (Hybrid)

We’re looking for a Head of Engineering to take technical leadership of a growing UK engineering business developing advanced hardware and software systems for demanding applications.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineering leader who enjoys being close to the technology, bringing together hardware, software and systems engineering to deliver complex products.

We’re particularly interested in people who have worked on significant engineering development programmes but would welcome the opportunity to step away from larger corporate structures and have greater ownership over technical decisions, engineering direction and delivery.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

• Strong technical leadership experience across complex engineering development programmes
• Deep understanding of hardware, software and systems integration
• Experience delivering multidisciplinary engineering projects from development through to integration and testing
• Ability to provide technical direction across different engineering disciplines
• Strong systems engineering and problem-solving background
• Comfortable making technical decisions and managing engineering trade-offs
• Experience working within defence, aerospace or similarly complex engineering environments
• Comfortable operating in a smaller, less structured environment and building engineering capability as the business grows

Desirable:

• Previous experience with MBDA, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Thales or similar engineering organisations
• Experience developing complex defence systems or integrated electronic products
• Technical leadership across embedded software, electronics and systems engineering
• Experience establishing engineering processes, development methodologies and technical governance
• Previous experience in a startup, SME or early-stage engineering business
• Background in systems architecture, integration, verification or qualification

Additional Information

• Permanent, full-time position
• Salary & bonuses competitive, to be discussed over initial chat
• Bristol-based role – Hybrid with flexibility (3 days on site)
• Senior leadership position with significant technical ownership
• Opportunity to shape engineering capability, processes and technical direction from an early stage
• Scope for salary growth as the business develops