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- Tasks: Lead a multidisciplinary team to design cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles.
- Company: Fast-growing global robotics and aerospace company pushing technological boundaries.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, career development, and a supportive leadership team.
- Other info: Opportunity to make a significant impact in the defence and security sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of uncrewed vehicles in an innovative and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering and experience in leading design teams.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Our client, a fast-growing global robotics and aerospace company, is driving the development of cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles (drones) across air, land, and sea for dual-use applications. They are committed to pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional products that consistently exceed customer expectations.
We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Head of Vehicle Design to guide our design engineering team within our USV (Uncrewed Surface Vessel) production facility. This pivotal role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software design engineers, ensuring the successful technical execution of our USV production efforts.
You will be the key technical lead and interface between our USV production and R&D design engineering team, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer. Working closely with the Programme Manager, you will translate customer technical requirements into actionable engineering tasks, while also providing critical insights into technical feasibility and innovation opportunities. As a leader, you will drive decision-making for the design engineering team, ensuring technical excellence and efficient problem-solving.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles within a global aerospace and robotics company.
Key Responsibilities:- Technical Leadership: Set the technical vision for the UK engineering team, providing direction, mentorship, and oversight across all engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software).
- Design Authority: Own and approve all major design decisions, system architectures, and technical documentation, ensuring they meet internal standards and customer requirements.
- System Architecture & Budget Ownership: Define and control the system architecture to balance capability, scalability, and cost. Align technical design choices with programme budgets, commercial constraints, and lifecycle cost targets.
- Standards & Quality: Establish and enforce engineering standards, processes, and quality benchmarks to ensure consistency, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
- Problem Solving: Lead the resolution of complex engineering challenges, de-risking the technical roadmap and unblocking delivery obstacles.
- Team Development: Support recruitment, onboarding, and career development of engineers within the UK. Set clear goals, deliver performance feedback, and foster a culture of accountability and growth.
- Innovation Culture: Promote continuous improvement, emerging technology adoption, and innovative thinking across the team.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the technical interface between engineering and internal/external stakeholders, including product managers, OEM partners, and customers.
- Systems Integration Oversight: Guide best practices in UXV system integration, testing, and validation - from platform hardware through to AI-enabled autonomy and control systems.
- Risk Management: Identify technical and programme-level risks early, developing and driving mitigation strategies.
- Field & Product Performance: Monitor performance metrics from development through deployment, using trial feedback to inform iterative improvements.
- Communication & Reporting: Provide clear, concise technical updates and programme status to senior leadership, partners, and customers.
- Requirements Translation: Convert customer needs and business goals into actionable engineering plans and system specifications.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent.
- Experience in design engineering, with significant experience in a leadership or technical lead role, preferably within a production or manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software).
- Strong understanding of USV systems, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems.
- Proven ability to translate customer requirements into technical specifications and lead design execution.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong analytical mindset.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams across different geographical locations.
- Familiarity with design tools and methodologies relevant to mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.
- Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems is an advantage.
- Willingness to undergo SC clearance as required.
- Opportunity to lead and shape the design of cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles within a global aerospace and robotics company.
- Work within a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment.
- Supportive leadership team and clear career development opportunities.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
If you are an experienced and highly skilled professional ready to make a significant impact in the defence and security sector, we encourage you to apply now and join our client's dynamic team.
Head of Vehicle Design - USV employer: Defence
Contact Detail:
Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Vehicle Design - USV
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and projects related to vehicle design and engineering. This will give you an edge during interviews and help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you answer questions confidently and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Vehicle Design - USV
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Vehicle Design role. Highlight your leadership in multidisciplinary teams and any relevant projects you've worked on in robotics or aerospace.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about uncrewed vehicles and how your background makes you the perfect fit for this position. Be sure to mention your experience in translating customer requirements into actionable engineering tasks.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of complex engineering challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and ability to lead a team through technical obstacles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Defence
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of USV systems and robotics. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that involved multidisciplinary teams. This will show that you not only understand the technical aspects but also how to lead a diverse group effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading design engineering teams. Think about challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to mentor and guide others while driving technical excellence.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research the company’s recent projects and innovations in uncrewed vehicles. Being able to align your answers with their goals will show that you're genuinely interested and can contribute to their mission of pushing technological boundaries.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that's easy to understand. Since you'll be interfacing with various stakeholders, being able to communicate effectively is crucial. Prepare to explain how you would translate customer requirements into actionable engineering tasks.