Avionics & Test Engineering Manager in Salisbury

At Callen-Lenz, we are expanding the limits of what is possible. We specialise in crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations and technology and having recently received investment into the business we are going through a period of rapid growth and development and are looking for key roles to assist with these changes. Callen-Lenz offers innovative and customer-focused UAS solutions through our 4 key business strands: technical services, products, platforms and operational services. We are looking for individuals to help drive forward our expansion, placing you at the forefront of UAS development in the UK.

Our Values

• Innovation
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

Why Work for Us

Based in the heart of rural Wiltshire, close to the Historic city of Salisbury you will join our rapidly growing, friendly and multi-disciplined team, working on a range of diverse and interesting projects, leading the way in this exciting field and witnessing the full lifecycle of our products. The Callen-Lenz team are passionate about what we do, and we are searching for individuals to grow with us as we expand into the aerospace industry.

Our benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
• Buy/Sell holiday policy up to 5 days either way
• Pension Scheme via Royal London Company contributed
• Share Incentive Plan
• Green Car Scheme
• Life assurance scheme (6x basic salary)
• Income protection policy (75% of basic salary)
• Private Health Insurance via Bupa
• Private Dental insurance via Bupa
• Enhanced Maternity and paternity
• 1 Professional membership reimbursed per year
• 1 paid volunteering day per year
• Access to an independent financial advisor year round
• Training & development opportunities

About the role

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, you will manage deployment of the Avionics & Test team according to resource demand from across the delivery streams. You will be responsible for the continuous improvement of our processes and tools in the Avionics & Test department, and will be responsible for the pastoral care and career development for the department.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Avionics & Test department, including:
• Guide, or lead where appropriate, the team in their technical duties.
• Define and communicate “what good looks like” for avionics, integration, and test engineering across the organisation.
• Establish and maintain processes, standards, best practices, and technical governance aligned to industry (e.g. DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754) where applicable.
• Establish and maintain fit-for-purpose tools for the Avionics & Test department, integrated with the rest of Engineering and the wider business.
• Promote cross-discipline collaboration (systems, air vehicle, software, manufacturing) to improve integration outcomes.
• Lead major technical reviews and assurance activities to ensure performance, safety, and airworthiness of delivered systems.
• Identify and remove inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and duplication across engineering workflows.
• Resource Management & Delivery Alignment
• Allocate and prioritise avionics & test engineers across delivery streams based on programme priorities and project demand signals.
• Balance short-term delivery needs with long-term capability development and sustainability of the function.
• Work with Project Managers to forecast resource demand, identify constraints, and resolve conflicts across competing programmes.
• Maintain clear visibility of department allocation, utilisation, and skills coverage to ensure effective execution.
• Act as escalation point for delivery risks relating to avionics integration and test activities.
• People & Team Leadership
• Identify capability gaps and drive recruitment, training, and upskilling plans to build a high-performing, future-ready team.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff, including goal setting, performance management, and regular 1:1 engagement.
• Support career development including structured development plans, and alignment to professional standards (e.g. UK-SPEC).
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture with strong engagement, accountability, and collaboration.
• Monitor team wellbeing and workload, ensuring sustainable pace and effective pastoral care.
• Champion recognition, retention strategies, and succession planning within the function.
• Safety, Compliance & Operational Excellence
• Champion health, safety, and environmental practices across the department.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, airworthiness, and company standards in all engineering and test activities.
• Promote a strong safety culture, including hazard identification, risk management, and incident learning.
• Support safe planning and execution of ground and flight test campaigns, including risk assessments and approvals.
• When required or directed, participate in any health and safety training.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace, Electronics, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing an engineering team.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of technical leadership and engineering line management within aerospace, defence, or a similarly regulated industry.
• Experience across the whole engineering lifecycle, from concept through manufacturing and in-service to disposal.
• Strong background in avionics, electronics, systems integration, or test engineering, with a solid understanding of aircraft systems.
• Strong people leadership capability, including performance management, coaching, and team development.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with Project Managers, Chief Engineers, other functional managers, and senior leadership.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and engineering excellence.

Desirable

• Background in defence or commercial UAS programmes.
• Experience operating in a matrix organisation.
• Experience supporting certification, airworthiness, or regulatory approval activities.
• Experience in trials scoping, planning and execution.
• Experience in flight test engineering activities.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or actively working towards professional accreditation.
• Experience scaling teams or building capability in a growing organisation.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capability.
• Experience working with defence customers or within UK MOD frameworks.

Personal Attributes

• Must be a British Citizen or have an existing right to work in the UK.
• Capable leader.
• Excellent communicator.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to commit to occasional national and international travel.
• A full valid UK driving license.
• Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK.

Callen-Lenz is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. It is essential that the successful candidate must, by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.