At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex engineering projects from planning to execution in a hands-off role.
- Company: Join a dynamic team in a high-assurance, security-cleared environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and the chance to work on cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Make an impact in defence and aerospace while fostering engineering excellence.
- Qualifications: Must have active SC Clearance and a background in hardware or mechatronics engineering.
- Other info: Ideal for those with experience in regulated environments and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom (On-site/Hybrid – Southwest preferred)
Clearance: Active SC Clearance (Sole British National)
Engagement: Contract – Outside IR35
Start Date: ASAP
Role Overview
We are seeking an expert Engineering Delivery Manager with a strong foundation as a former hardware, electronics, or mechatronics engineer to lead the successful delivery of complex technical programmes. This is a hands-off leadership role best suited to someone who has walked the path of a design engineer and can use that deep understanding to drive accountability, delivery pace, and engineering quality across cross-functional teams. You will operate within a high-assurance, security-cleared environment, coordinating multiple engineering workstreams and acting as the central point of contact for both stakeholders and delivery teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Delivery Oversight: Drive and coordinate the end-to-end delivery of multi-disciplinary engineering projects—from planning to execution to handover. Oversee work across hardware, electronics, firmware, and mechanical integration teams, ensuring seamless cross-domain collaboration.
- Stakeholder & Team Leadership: Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align expectations, provide delivery assurance, and maintain transparency. Act as a technical sounding board and delivery authority for engineers, project managers, and leadership teams.
- Project Governance & Control: Define delivery frameworks using appropriate methods (Agile, V-Model, hybrid) based on project context. Manage project risks, configuration, dependencies, and escalation processes in line with defence and regulatory standards.
- Hands-On Credibility: Leverage your engineering background to interrogate schedules, review technical plans, and challenge assumptions constructively. Contribute to the culture of engineering excellence and pragmatic delivery without micromanaging.
- Engineering Expertise: Background as a hands-on engineer in hardware, electronics, or mechatronics, with the credibility to guide and challenge technical teams.
- Delivery Leadership in Secure Environments: Track record of delivering complex engineering projects within regulated, safety-critical, or defence sectors. Fluent in delivery assurance, schedule management, risk control, and stakeholder communication.
- Security Clearance: Active SC Clearance and sole British nationality (non-negotiable due to project sensitivity).
- Strong Communication & Organisational Skills: Ability to engage both engineers and executives, translate between technical and delivery contexts, and keep delivery momentum.
- Toolset & Process Knowledge: Comfortable with engineering project tools (e.g., JIRA, MS Project, Confluence, PLM systems). Working knowledge of relevant engineering standards (e.g., ISO 9001, DO-254, MIL-STD, etc.).
Desirable Attributes
- Familiarity with defence, aerospace, or high-integrity systems (e.g., naval platforms, weapons systems, autonomous vehicles).
- Experience overseeing multi-vendor, multi-site or matrixed delivery environments.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng or equivalent) or demonstrable peer-level technical authority.
Contact Detail:
Placed Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Delivery Manager (,, United Kingdom)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the defence and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or employers. This can help you gain insights into the role and make valuable connections.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as Agile and V-Model. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently during interviews will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in leading cross-functional teams. Highlight specific projects where you successfully coordinated multiple engineering workstreams, as this will showcase your ability to manage complex technical programmes.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s recent projects and initiatives in the defence sector. Being knowledgeable about their work will allow you to tailor your discussions and show genuine interest in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Delivery Manager (,, United Kingdom)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in engineering delivery management, particularly in hardware, electronics, or mechatronics. Emphasise any relevant projects you've led and the outcomes achieved.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that specifically addresses the key responsibilities outlined in the job description. Showcase your hands-on engineering background and how it equips you to lead complex technical programmes effectively.
Highlight Security Clearance: Since active SC clearance is a non-negotiable requirement, ensure you clearly state your current status regarding security clearance in your application. This will help the employer quickly assess your eligibility.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully engaged with both technical teams and stakeholders. Highlight your ability to translate complex technical information into understandable terms for different audiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Placed
✨Showcase Your Engineering Background
Make sure to highlight your experience as a hardware, electronics, or mechatronics engineer. Discuss specific projects where you applied your technical knowledge, as this will demonstrate your credibility and understanding of the engineering processes involved.
✨Emphasise Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with both internal and external stakeholders in previous roles. This is crucial for the Engineering Delivery Manager position, so be ready to discuss how you align expectations and maintain transparency throughout project delivery.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Project Governance
Understand different delivery frameworks such as Agile and V-Model, and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects. Showing that you can adapt your approach based on project context will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Practice translating complex technical concepts into layman's terms. You’ll need to engage with both engineers and executives, so being able to communicate effectively across different levels is essential. Prepare to showcase your ability to keep teams aligned and maintain delivery momentum.