At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical governance and ensure robust delivery in marine engineering projects.
- Company: Join Expleo, a collaborative tech company focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusivity and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety-critical projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or computing; strong lifecycle knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
- Essential
The Head of Function (Systems / Software) is a senior technical authority for the discipline within Expleo’s marine engineering environment.
The role is accountable for technical governance, delivery assurance, and capability development, acting as the primary technical escalation point below Chief Engineer.
Operating in a high-assurance, safety-critical context, the role ensures systems or software delivery is technically robust, compliant, and supported by appropriate capability, standards, and lifecycle practice.
- Systems: Minimum INCOSE Lead Practitioner, with Expert capability preferred in technical authority areas.
- Software: Aligned to SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence), reflecting function-level authority across software engineering capability, governance, and delivery.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical authority across projects and bids, approving key technical outputs, plans, and estimates.
- Act as escalation point for technical risk, quality, and engineering integrity issues.
- Assure compliance with relevant standards, legislation, and engineering governance.
- Conduct and oversee technical reviews and audits in line with project quality plans.
- Intervene where technical risk exists, including stopping work on technical grounds.
- Ensure projects are resourced with appropriately SQEP engineers.
- Lead and develop Engineering Team Leads (ETLs) and Team Leads (TLs), ensuring strong technical input to appraisals and development planning.
- Drive continuous improvement in engineering practice and capability maturity.
Qualifications
- Essential
- Degree in a relevant engineering or computing discipline.
- Strong lifecycle knowledge (requirements, architecture, integration, V&V, quality).
- Preferred
- Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
- INCOSE CSEP (Systems); ESEP-aligned capability preferred.
Essential Skills
- Systems
- Requirements definition and management
- System architecture and trade studies
- Integration, interfaces, V&V
- Technical leadership and mentoring
- Software (SFIA-aligned – Level 6)
• Demonstrable authority across core SFIA software skills, including
- Architecture (ARCH)
- Requirements (REQM)
- Design (DESN)
- Integration & build (SINT)
- Testing & quality (TEST / NFTS)
- Configuration & change (CFMG)
- Lifecycle engineering (SLEN)
- At SFIA Level 6, the role sets technical direction, influences across programmes, and assures delivery through governance rather than direct execution.
- Desired Skills
- Strong technical authority in systems or software engineering within complex, safety-critical environments
- Ability to provide independent technical challenge, governance, and decision-making across multiple programmes
- Deep understanding of engineering lifecycles (requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification & validation, in-service support)
- Proven capability in technical review, assurance, and audit of engineering outputs and plans
- Strong risk, quality, and compliance mindset in regulated environments
- Ability to set technical direction and influence delivery without direct control (matrix environment)
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication, including senior client and internal leadership interaction
- Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with ability to develop senior technical leaders
Experience
- Significant experience in a senior technical leadership or technical authority role (e. g. Head of Function, Chief/Lead Architect, Technical Authority)
- Experience working in complex, safety-critical, and regulated environments (e. g. marine, defence, aerospace, nuclear, rail)
- Demonstrated track record of approving engineering solutions and assuring delivery across multiple projects or programmes
- Experience acting as a technical escalation point for delivery, quality, and risk issues
- Proven experience in technical governance, including design reviews, audits, and compliance assessments
- Experience leading or influencing multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a matrix organisation
- Demonstrated ability to develop engineering capability, including mentoring senior engineers and improving SQEP coverage
- Experience ensuring projects are correctly resourced with appropriate technical capability
- Systems-specific experience
- Extensive experience applying systems engineering lifecycle processes in complex programmes
- Experience in system architecture definition, integration challenges, and V&V strategy
- Evidence of operating at INCOSE Lead Practitioner level or equivalent, with experience guiding others and resolving complex technical issues
- Experience contributing to or aligning with safety cases, regulatory frameworks, and assurance activities
- Software-specific experience
- Extensive experience in software engineering leadership or architecture roles
- Experience operating at SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence) or equivalent level of responsibility, including:
- Setting technical direction across projects
- Influencing engineering decisions across teams
- Governing software lifecycle practice and standards
- Experience in safety-critical or high-assurance software development, including quality, security, and compliance considerations
- Experience implementing or improving software engineering processes, assurance frameworks, and tooling
- Strong background in architecture, integration, testing, and lifecycle governance within complex systems
- Significant experience in senior technical leadership, technical authority, or architecture roles.
- Experience in safety-critical software, secure systems, or model-based engineering.
- Experience in complex, safety-critical, regulated environments (marine, defence, or equivalent)
- Experience driving continuous improvement in engineering processes, standards, and tools
Benefits
- Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and ourpeers through good times and challenges
- We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
- Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
- Competitive company benefits
- Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to
- Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- Communicating and promoting vacancies
- Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
- Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
- Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.
We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive
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Head of Function (Systems) employer: Expleo Group
Expleo Group is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative work culture, encouraging innovation and creativity among its employees. Located in Preston, the company offers competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment for growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the automotive engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Function (Systems)
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Function (Systems) role you’re after at Expleo Group.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Expleo Group a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Expleo Group.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Function (Systems) at Expleo Group, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Function (Systems)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Function (Systems), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Expleo Group a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Expleo Group specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Expleo Group
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Expleo Group, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Expleo Group want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
