Chief Programme Engineer – Fixed Wing

Overview

Boeing Defence United Kingdom (BDUK) is recruiting for a Chief Programme Engineer for the UK Fixed Wing Business Unit Strategy and Growth programmes, reporting to the BDUK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer.

The Chief Programme Engineer will hold accountabilities and responsibilities across the product/service lifecycle for a selection of Strategic and Growth programmes in the Fixed Wing domain, with delegations from the Engineering Director and Fixed Wing Chief Engineer.

We are looking for an experienced technical leader with an evidential background in both aircraft design, qualification and certification, and in sustaining aircraft capability in-service.

Experience of the in-service support of military aircraft or the civil Boeing 737 is preferred.

Applicants should have demonstrable experience in interacting and when necessary leading multi-disciplined engineering teams driving safety, ensuring technical excellence, and collaborating across business units, both in the UK and internationally.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be required to assist in the development of technical strategies to aid business growth and provide technical input, oversight and governance around future technical proposals.

While we work in agile and dynamic engineering environments, your wellbeing is important to us and we strive to find a healthy life balance and ethical team culture with a strong emphasis on openness, collaboration, innovation, safety, and first-time quality.

This role can be based at BDUK sites in the south of England and provides opportunity for hybrid working subject to programme requirements.

Regular travel to multiple BDUK and Customer sites will be expected, with periodic international travel.

Responsibilities

• Support the UK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer in definition and stakeholder awareness/governance of the Fixed Wing Engineering strategy.
• Hold responsibility for engineering programmes of work related to strategic/growth objectives, including early gates of the Enterprise Standard Gated Process related to P-8, E-7 and the T-7 product and services.
• Participate in the U. K. investment fund allocation and governance process, creating business cases to secure funding.
• Provide technical leadership and coordination of employees performing engineering and integration activities to deliver programme objectives.
• Develop and execute project and process plans, implement policies and procedures, and establish operational goals with Fixed Wing Programme Managers.
• Execute solution engineering and integration through resource allocation and leadership.
• Chair engineering reviews related to requirements, design, safety (Product and Service), and programme readiness.
• Coordinate with engineering departments to establish demand and availability of resources for engineering delivery.
• Support the technical management of suppliers and provide governance with supplier management.
• Develop and maintain relationships with customers, worldwide business groups, and other key stakeholders.
• Support management of technical scope against budget with periodic progress reporting.
• Participate in solution development for new business and provide governance to proposal development activity.
• Ensure and assure all Products and Services delivered from the BDUK Fixed Wing Strategy and Growth portfolio under delegation from the Engineering Director.
• Drive engineering functional excellence in people, processes, tools, and practices across the portfolio, promoting productivity and sharing best practices.
• Support a culture focused on Product and Service safety and first-time quality across all engineering activities.
• Assist the UK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer, including deputising when necessary, in support of business unit and engineering reporting/interfacing.

Essential Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• Degree from an accredited course of study in aerospace or safety critical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry.
• Extensive experience managing or leading teams in multi-disciplined matrix organisations (ideally with a global working aspect).
• Extensive experience working in a highly regulated safety critical engineering environment.
• Preferred Skills/Experience
• Broad knowledge of both Type and Continuing Airworthiness in UK military aircraft.
• Broad knowledge of the certification of UK military aircraft, their design changes and modifications.
• Capability to develop and sell business cases, influence stakeholders at all levels, establish teams and execute programmes to quality, budget and schedule.
• Broad knowledge of the UK Defence Aviation Environment and its processes and policies.
• Proven record in delivering complex engineering change programs in military aircraft.
• Evidential experience of through-life aircraft sustainment and post design services.
• Experience in interacting and guiding cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills; comfortable in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
• Ability to bridge between customers, the programme, and the BDUK and international engineering departments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a people partner in a global, matrix environment.
• Chartership from a relevant Institute (preferable).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to manage competing demands.
• Practical experience in managing complex project or bid budgets, balancing delivery cost with technical excellence.
• Additional Information
• Work

Authorisation: This requisition is for a locally hired position in the UK.

Must have current legal authorisation to work in the United Kingdom.

Boeing will not sponsor immigration or labour status.

• Security Clearance: Ability to obtain UK security clearance; UK Citizenship required.
• Relocation: Not offered; candidates must reside in the immediate area.
• Application Deadline: Aug. 16, 2026.
• Export Control: Not an Export Control position.
• Visa Sponsorship: Not provided.
• Shift: Not a shift worker (United Kingdom).
• Equal
• Opportunity

Employer: We do not discriminate on grounds including race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law.

We welcome candidates with disabilities and provide accommodations during recruitment as needed.

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