Deputy Head of Design

Our client, a leading defence prime, is looking to recruit a deputy head of design (aircraft) for their secure site in Broughton, Chester. As an employer, they are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence. They provide a collaborative environment, abundant opportunities for professional development, and a profound sense of purpose in what they do.

As their Space business continues to grow, they offer considerable expertise in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST), Policy, Risk Management, Orbital Analytics, and Operations. This mission area supports the collation of intelligence from the ground and above, from optical cameras to radars, giving the customer a fully integrated intelligence picture.

To deputise for the Head of Design (Aircraft), under CAA & MAA Design Approvals, the following requirements and responsibilities apply:

• An aircraft engineering industry background is required, with adequate breadth and depth of knowledge of complex electronic systems, mechanical/structures, cabin interiors, aerodynamics, aircraft performance, and control.
• Extensive knowledge of initial/type airworthiness regulations and senior level experience working in an organisation with civil (CAA 21J/BCAR A8-21) or military aircraft design approvals (DAOS).
• A proven track record in managing large, multi-disciplined engineering teams through a significant portion of the engineering lifecycle (requirements capture, functional analysis, design, integration, trials, acceptance, in service support).
• Previous compliance verification engineer and/or office of airworthiness experience along with experience of working within or with aircraft maintenance, production, continuing airworthiness organisations, and safety management systems is highly desirable but not essential.
• Professional development of aircraft design engineers (including support to appraisals and goal flow-down).
• Adherence to, and development of, best practice design process and tools.
• Aircraft design excellence based on a strong process culture and skills development.
• Interface with other members of the Engineering and Quality Management Team to establish Engineering as a highly professional and respected part of the business.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining a documented design management system.
• Technical definition of aircraft type certificate changes and repairs.
• Ensuring design work is undertaken in accordance with the design management system, design approvals, and other relevant regulations.
• Ensuring that compliance is demonstrated and verified against the appropriate type certification basis, the applicable operational suitability data certification basis, and the environmental protection requirements.
• Supporting an engaged safety culture through safety management system adoption, investigating audit and occurrence findings, and managing design organisation risks.
• Signing a declaration of compliance for type certificate changes or repairs after satisfactory verification of compliance and confirmation of adherence with design procedures.
• Management and approval of design subcontractors.
• Supervising the Coordinating Design Organisation role for air systems, including interface with the aircraft, engine, and propeller Type Certificate Holders, and for other applied third-party design changes.
• Approving the flight conditions and permit to fly on behalf of design for CAA 21.