Head of Engineering Functions

Head of Engineering Functions

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid – minimum 3 days onsite)

UK, EU & Canada travel required

Security clearance: SC (or eligible)

** Previous experience in a similar, transformational role within a Defence / Aerospace organisation is required due the nature of the complex products / regulated programmes **

Lead Transformation. Enable Excellence. Shape the Future of Engineering.

An established Defence client is looking for a Head of Engineering Functions to lead the transformation and continuous evolution of our engineering capability. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving excellence across Supportability, Systems, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, ensuring they deliver world-class capability today while building for tomorrow.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping a modern, scalable, high-performing engineering organisation, embedding best-in-class processes, digital innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement across a complex programme portfolio.

The Opportunity

This role goes beyond traditional functional leadership. You will:

• Transform and modernise engineering delivery, embedding standardised, efficient ways of working
• Build future-ready capability, aligned to evolving customer and technology demands
• Drive engineering excellence at scale, ensuring safe, compliant, high-quality outcomes
• Partner across global engineering and business functions to unlock performance and innovation

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Lead and inspire multi-disciplinary engineering teams through large-scale transformation
• Define and deliver functional strategies that drive capability uplift, efficiency, and growth
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance

Engineering Excellence & Governance

• Own and evolve engineering governance, standards, and assurance frameworks
• Simplify and standardise processes to increase consistency, quality, and speed of delivery
• Ensure compliance across defence and aerospace regulatory requirements

Capability & Workforce Development

• Build and scale engineering capability through structured competency frameworks and workforce planning
• Develop future-ready skills aligned to digital engineering and emerging technologies
• Coach and develop leaders to drive innovation and technical excellence

Operational & Commercial Performance

• Drive data-led resource planning to improve utilisation, predictability, and delivery confidence
• Ensure engineering inputs to bids are competitive, scalable, and commercially robust
• Track and improve KPIs across quality, efficiency, and capability maturity

Collaboration & Innovation

• Partner with Programme, Operations, Quality, IT and Commercial teams to optimise end-to-end delivery
• Engage customers and stakeholders to identify innovation opportunities and emerging solutions
• Champion digital engineering, MBSE, and modern toolsets

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a proven senior engineering leader with experience in complex, regulated environments such as defence, aerospace, or land systems.

Key Experience:

• Leading multi-disciplinary engineering functions within a matrix organisation
• Delivering transformation programmes and continuous improvement initiatives
• Implementing modern engineering processes, digital tools, and operating models
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels
• Driving capability development, governance, and engineering strategy

Technical & Professional Background:

• Degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or similar)
• Deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle
• Expertise in systems engineering, integration, and large-scale delivery environments
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent preferred

Why Join this organisation?

• Be at the forefront of engineering transformation in a mission-critical sector
• Shape the future of a high-impact engineering organisation
• Work on complex, meaningful programmes with real-world impact
• Collaborate with global teams and cutting-edge technologies

If you’re ready to lead change, build capability, and redefine engineering excellence, we’d love to hear from you. Please email [email protected] to find out more.