Head of Discipline - Outfit & Paint

Location: Govan & Scotstoun with travel to each site when required

What you'll be doing

• Leading strategic direction for the trade discipline team, aligning with overall manufacturing objectives, while driving capability enhancement and skills development initiatives.
• Overseeing performance management within the function, fostering a culture of continuous improvement across teams to drive operational excellence.
• Managing resource allocation and capability optimisation, making critical decisions on resource deployment across GM areas and ensuring adherence to SQEP standards for all trade resources.
• Cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with external stakeholders, ensuring compliance with industry legislation and actively engaging in sector-level peer groups to promote LFE and best practice sharing.
• Identifying, developing, and acquiring tooling including software and infrastructure to support trade activities.

Your skills and experiences

• In-depth expertise in manufacturing, engineering, and construction, with extensive experience in major shipbuilding or offshore projects, including multi-site module assembly, and a proven track record in management roles up to Ship Manager level, demonstrating the ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams effectively.
• Strong command of discipline-specific processes and procedures essential for executing trade-related tasks efficiently within Outfit & Paint, with in-depth expertise equivalent to a specialised level within the skilled trade.
• Strong commercial acumen with a keen understanding of business dynamics and financial considerations, combined with an up-to-date awareness of external market trends, industry advancements, and a well-established, influential external network including key industry partners and assurance bodies.
• Degree-level education (or equivalent) with significant industrial experience in the required discipline, supported by a trade-based qualification to maximize performance and a strong background in managing people while ensuring SQEP levels are maintained within the trade skill set.
• Experience in Life Cycle Management reviews of bids and programs, with substantial expertise in managing major programs.

The Manufacturing Function Team

As Head of Discipline - Outfit & Paint, you will be a key member of a dynamic management team, delivering cradle-to-grave domain expertise, strategic guidance, and hands-on support to drive the success of delivery programs. Your leadership will be crucial in optimizing workforce performance, implementing continuous improvements, and ensuring effective resource allocation, governance, and assurance. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of current and upcoming programs, ensuring their seamless execution and long-term success.

Your role will carry full accountability for strategic decision-making in the deployment and allocation of resources across GM areas. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives while collaborating closely with manufacturing engineering to foster and implement progressive technological advancements.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible.

If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

Closing Date: 20th February 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.