At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-growth digital engineering consultancy in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Join a pioneering firm at the forefront of technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving transformation in the aerospace and defence sectors.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aerospace with cutting-edge technologies and strategic leadership.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in engineering or consulting, with strong leadership and P&L management experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to build and lead a high-growth digital engineering business at the intersection of aerospace, defense, engineering, and advanced technology.
The Director will have significant influence over the company's strategy, customer relationships, technology roadmap, organizational development, and financial performance.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape how aerospace and defense organizations adopt digital engineering, MBSE, digital thread, simulation, AI, and other advanced technologies to design, manufacture, and sustain the next generation of aerospace and defense systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute the company's strategic plan and long-term growth strategy.
- Establish the company's position as a leading provider of digital engineering and technology-enabled consulting services to aerospace and defense customers.
- Identify new markets, customers, technologies, and service offerings that can accelerate growth.
- Establish organizational priorities, performance objectives, and operating plans.
- Build a scalable organization capable of supporting significant revenue and headcount growth.
- Serve as the senior executive and primary representative of the business with customers, partners, employees, and the broader industry.
- Business Development & Customer Growth
- Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy focused on aerospace and defense.
- Build and maintain relationships with senior executives and technical leaders at major aerospace and defense organizations.
- Identify opportunities to expand existing customer relationships and develop new strategic accounts.
- Lead major pursuits, proposals, contract negotiations, and strategic customer engagements.
- Develop relationships with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, defense contractors, government agencies, and emerging aerospace companies.
- Establish differentiated value propositions around digital engineering, engineering transformation, and advanced technology.
- Develop strategic partnerships with technology providers, engineering firms, software companies, and other complementary organizations.
- Establish and manage sales pipelines, bookings, revenue, and customer-growth objectives.
- Digital Engineering & Technical Services
- Provide strategic leadership across digital engineering capabilities such as:
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Digital Thread and Digital Twin
- Systems Engineering
- Requirements Engineering and Management
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE)
- CAD / CAM / CFD
- Simulation and Modeling
- Software and Embedded Systems Engineering
- Systems Integration
- Engineering Data Management
- Manufacturing Digitalization
- Product Development and Engineering Transformation
- Automation and Advanced Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications in engineering
- Engineering process optimization and digital transformation
- Operations & Program Delivery
- Establish operational processes that consistently deliver high-quality engineering services.
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to customer requirements.
- Develop appropriate project governance, resource planning, utilization, and performance-management processes.
- Establish metrics for project profitability, utilization, customer satisfaction, quality, and delivery performance.
- Ensure appropriate risk management across customer programs.
- Develop repeatable delivery methodologies that allow the business to scale without compromising technical quality.
- Financial Management
- Have full accountability for the financial performance of the business.
- Develop annual operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial objectives.
- Manage revenue growth, gross margin, operating expenses, EBITDA, cash flow, and working capital.
- Establish appropriate pricing strategies for consulting and engineering services.
- Monitor project economics and ensure disciplined resource utilization.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability and operating leverage.
- Talent & Organizational Development
- Recruit, develop, and retain highly skilled engineering and consulting professionals.
- Build an organization capable of supporting both current customers and future growth.
- Establish a strong leadership team across Engineering, Sales, Program Management, Finance, and Operations.
- Develop career paths and professional-development programs for technical employees.
- Create a culture focused on technical excellence, customer success, accountability, and innovation.
- Ensure the organization has the technical capabilities required to support emerging digital engineering technologies.
- Aerospace & Defense Industry Leadership
- Maintain a strong understanding of aerospace and defense industry trends, technologies, and customer requirements.
- Monitor developments in digital engineering, MBSE, AI, digital twins, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, and engineering transformation.
- Represent the company at industry conferences, customer events, trade associations, and technical forums.
- Develop relationships with senior leaders throughout the aerospace and defense ecosystem.
- Ensure the company maintains an understanding of applicable defense, aerospace, cybersecurity, export-control, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an experienced executive who has successfully built, grown, or led an engineering consulting or technology-enabled professional services organization serving aerospace and defense customers.
The individual should possess
- 15+ years of progressive experience in engineering, consulting, technology, or professional services.
- Significant leadership experience within aerospace and/or defense.
- Demonstrated experience managing a P&L and operating a services-based business.
- Proven success developing new customers and expanding strategic accounts.
- Experience selling complex engineering or technology solutions to senior executives.
- Strong understanding of digital engineering and engineering transformation.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain highly technical talent.
- Strong commercial, financial, and operational management skills.
- Excellent executive communication and relationship-building capabilities.
- Experience working with major aerospace OEMs, defense contractors, Tier 1 suppliers, or government organizations.
- Preferred Background
Candidates may come from organizations such as
- Digital engineering consulting firms
- Engineering services companies
- Aerospace engineering organizations
- Defense engineering organizations
- Systems engineering companies
- Product development consultancies
- PLM / MBSE consulting organizations
- Engineering software and technology companies
- Aerospace and defense Tier 1 suppliers
- Aerospace and defense OEMs
Experience with organizations such as
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Airbus, Safran, GE Aerospace, Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, L3Harris, Leidos, Jacobs, Capgemini, Accenture, Siemens Digital Industries Software, Dassault Systèmes, or similar organizations would be highly relevant.
Locations
Director Digital Engineering Consultancy (Aerospace and Finance) in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Confidential Jobs
Join a dynamic mid-sized company in Annesley, Nottinghamshire, where you will play a pivotal role in supporting the Managing Director as an Executive Assistant. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and emotional intelligence, we offer a competitive package, a collaborative work culture, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Digital Engineering Consultancy (Aerospace and Finance) in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Confidential Jobs for a Director Digital Engineering Consultancy (Aerospace and Finance). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Digital Engineering Consultancy (Aerospace and Finance) in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Confidential Jobs, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Confidential Jobs, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Confidential Jobs
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Confidential Jobs.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Confidential Jobs. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Confidential Jobs love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
