At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering transformation and drive excellence across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Company: Established Defence client at the forefront of engineering innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for global collaboration.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and redefine engineering excellence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering in a mission-critical sector with real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Proven senior engineering leader with experience in complex, regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Cambridge (Hybrid – minimum 3 days onsite)
UK, EU & Canada travel required
Security clearance: SC (or eligible)
Previous experience in a similar, transformational role within a Defence / Aerospace organisation is required due to the nature of the complex products / regulated programmes.
Lead Transformation. Enable Excellence. Shape the Future of Engineering.
An established Defence client is looking for a Head of Engineering Functions to lead the transformation and continuous evolution of our engineering capability. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving excellence across Supportability, Systems, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, ensuring they deliver world-class capability today while building for tomorrow.
You will play a pivotal role in shaping a modern, scalable, high-performing engineering organisation, embedding best-in-class processes, digital innovation, and a culture of continuous improvement across a complex programme portfolio.
The Opportunity
This role goes beyond traditional functional leadership. You will:
- Transform and modernise engineering delivery, embedding standardised, efficient ways of working
- Build future-ready capability, aligned to evolving customer and technology demands
- Drive engineering excellence at scale, ensuring safe, compliant, high-quality outcomes
- Partner across global engineering and business functions to unlock performance and innovation
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Strategic Leadership & Transformation
- Lead and inspire multi-disciplinary engineering teams through large-scale transformation
- Define and deliver functional strategies that drive capability uplift, efficiency, and growth
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance
Engineering Excellence & Governance
- Own and evolve engineering governance, standards, and assurance frameworks
- Simplify and standardise processes to increase consistency, quality, and speed of delivery
- Ensure compliance across defence and aerospace regulatory requirements
Capability & Workforce Development
- Build and scale engineering capability through structured competency frameworks and workforce planning
- Develop future-ready skills aligned to digital engineering and emerging technologies
- Coach and develop leaders to drive innovation and technical excellence
Operational & Commercial Performance
- Drive data-led resource planning to improve utilisation, predictability, and delivery confidence
- Ensure engineering inputs to bids are competitive, scalable, and commercially robust
- Track and improve KPIs across quality, efficiency, and capability maturity
Collaboration & Innovation
- Partner with Programme, Operations, Quality, IT and Commercial teams to optimise end-to-end delivery
- Engage customers and stakeholders to identify innovation opportunities and emerging solutions
- Champion digital engineering, MBSE, and modern toolsets
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a proven senior engineering leader with experience in complex, regulated environments such as defence, aerospace, or land systems.
Key Experience:
- Leading multi-disciplinary engineering functions within a matrix organisation
- Delivering transformation programmes and continuous improvement initiatives
- Implementing modern engineering processes, digital tools, and operating models
- Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels
- Driving capability development, governance, and engineering strategy
Technical & Professional Background:
- Degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or similar)
- Deep understanding of the full product development lifecycle
- Expertise in systems engineering, integration, and large-scale delivery environments
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent preferred
Why Join this organisation?
- Be at the forefront of engineering transformation in a mission-critical sector
- Shape the future of a high-impact engineering organisation
- Work on complex, meaningful programmes with real-world impact
- Collaborate with global teams and cutting-edge technologies
If you’re ready to lead change, build capability, and redefine engineering excellence, we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Engineering Functions in Cambridge employer: ConSol Partners
Join a leading Defence organisation in Cambridge, where you will have the opportunity to drive engineering transformation and excellence in a high-impact role. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and innovation, this company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and offers unique benefits such as hybrid working arrangements and the chance to work on complex, meaningful programmes that make a real-world impact. Be part of a forward-thinking team that values your expertise and empowers you to shape the future of engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering Functions in Cambridge
✨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 ConSol Partners for a Head of Engineering Functions. 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 Head of Engineering Functions in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at ConSol Partners, 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 ConSol Partners, 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 ConSol Partners
✨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 ConSol Partners.
✨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 ConSol Partners. 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 ConSol Partners love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
