At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of engineers in delivering cutting-edge satellite communication systems.
- Company: Join Airbus Defence and Space, a leader in innovative aerospace solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, profit share, flexible working, and extensive personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with support for personal growth and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make history by contributing to groundbreaking projects in space and defence.
- Qualifications: Experience in military/government satellite systems and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
Security Clearance Eligibility to gain UK SC Security Clearance.
Travel Required: Twice a month to Portsmouth. Regular travel to other sites in the UK. Occasionally internal travel may be required.
Location: Portsmouth OR Stevenage (60% of your working week must be office based).
Type: Full time.
What's In It For You:
- Financial Reward: Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options, car leasing scheme, free onsite parking, tax‑free technology scheme, discounted shopping and much more.
- Work / Life Balance: 37 hour week, flexible working around core hours, hybrid working, up to 2 additional days per month as TOIL. There are no core hours on Friday afternoons.
- Personal Development: Personalised development plan and unlimited access to 10,000+ E‑learning courses, internal mobility including international opportunities.
- Health & Wellbeing: Wellbeing benefits (including 24/7 online GP and mental health support), Employee Assistance Programme, discounted family health / dental insurance / eye tests, cycle‑to‑work scheme, on‑site canteen and coffee shop, lunchtime pilates.
- Family and Caregiving: Life assurance, enhanced pay for parental leave (23 weeks at 100% pay), adoption / shared parental / caregiving leave.
- Inclusive Environment: Wellbeing room, multi‑faith room, Employee Representative Groups (Gender, LGBTQ+, International, Generational, Disability, Social & Cultural Diversity, Neurodiversity).
We’re not just committed to sustainable flight; we are on the front line of innovation, developing the advanced systems that protect societies and secure our collective future. Ready to engineer what's next in defence? Make your next change a groundbreaking one.
Are you a Head of Systems Design or Head of Systems Delivery looking for a new career? Looking for a role with an extensive handover and buddy system? Passionate about Space and about championing Engineering, to fulfil our promise to clients to be On Time, On Cost, On Quality (OTOCOQ)? Want to work for a company who makes history? We’d love to speak to you!
Due to internal promotion, we are looking for a Head of Systems Design and Delivery. In this high visibility key role you will be responsible for a team of 50 senior technical Engineering professionals (Chief Engineers, Lead Architects, Systems Integrators) based in Portsmouth, Stevenage and Newport. You and your team will be working on Ground Segments covering Secure Satellite Communications (MILSATCom), Earth Observation and Space Situation Awareness solutions for UK/US and NATO customers.
How you will Contribute to the team:
- Represent, harmonise and champion Engineering and to continue and nurture relationships between the business, project and production.
- Ensure collaboration and transparency between you and your team across multiple UK sites to work together on the full engineering lifecycle including support.
- Manage the Pre‑Sales Engineering teams in the definition, costing and validation of technical solutions through pre‑bid technical reviews.
- Define and deploy a development plan for the technical solution with a strong Design‑to‑Value / Design‑to‑Cost approach, based on requirements, schedule and budget and Systems Engineering best practices.
- Identify and drive key engineering trade‑off studies with support of the Design Authority organisation.
- Take the lead in quality assurance, regulatory compliance (i.e. export rating, licensing) and safety, as well as management and achievement of certification / evaluation of technical solutions, using the knowledge and services of Enablers (e.g. Product Security, Safety, Product Regulatory Compliance).
About You:
- Significant experience in delivering major delivery programmes for Military / Governmental Satellite Communications systems and/or Earth Observation systems (Optical/Radar) at a Senior level for the UK, US or NATO.
- Passionate and genuinely believe in delivering on commitments, protecting projects integrity and ensure projects stay on track, OTOCOQ with a strong customer delivery focus.
- Experience in promoting, implementing and monitoring the use of Engineering best practices (Model based Systems Engineering, Agile).
- Awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.
- Extensive experience in working directly with customers with a proven track record of successful delivery.
Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth with customised development solutions.
How we can support you:
Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part‑time. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you need and we’ll always do our best to accommodate your request. Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments for the selection process – you can share this with your Talent Acquisition Partner if you are invited to interview. Examples may include (but not exclusive to) accessible facilities; auxiliary aids; room layout, etc. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Airbus UK will offer an interview to any applicant that considers themselves to have a disability or long‑term condition under the Equality Act 2010 and meets the minimum criteria of the role (as set out in the job advert). To ‘opt in’, just select the option during your application submission and your application will be considered accordingly.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Company: AIRBUS Defence and Space Limited
Employment Type: Permanent
Experience Level: Professional
Job Family: Leadership
By submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus.
Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.
At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.
Head of Systems Delivery in Portsmouth employer: Airbus Defence and Space
Airbus Defence and Space Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and extensive benefits including a contributory pension, profit share, and flexible working arrangements that promote a healthy work-life balance. With a strong commitment to personal development through tailored growth plans and access to over 10,000 e-learning courses, employees are empowered to thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment, making meaningful contributions to innovative projects in defence and space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Systems Delivery in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experience and how it relates to the role. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Systems Delivery in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Systems Delivery role. Highlight your experience with military or governmental satellite communications and any relevant engineering best practices you've implemented.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our mission. Don't forget to mention your commitment to delivering on time, on cost, and on quality!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a leadership position, emphasise your experience managing teams and driving successful delivery programmes. We want to see how you've championed engineering and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus Defence and Space
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of military and governmental satellite communications systems, as well as earth observation systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role of Head of Systems Delivery.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing complex delivery programmes. Think about how you've fostered collaboration and transparency in previous roles, especially across multiple sites.
✨Understand Compliance and Quality Assurance
Familiarise yourself with the compliance risks and quality assurance processes relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured regulatory compliance and safety in past projects, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company’s mission and values. Inquire about their approach to engineering best practices and how they support personal development, as this shows you're keen on contributing positively to their culture.
