At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering delivery for complex products and influence strategic decisions.
- Company: Dynamic engineering firm focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape new ways of working and drive continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Transition from hands-on engineering to impactful business-facing roles.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Hybrid working (2–3 days per week on-site)
Security Clearance
British citizen or Dual UK with British citizenship, able to meet security clearance requirements (BPSS as a minimum).
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced engineer who wants to step into a broader, business‑facing delivery role, helping shape how complex products are developed, reused and supported across a multi‑project portfolio.
You’ll be involved across the full product lifecycle – from early concept and design through to production and in‑service support – making sure portfolio decisions remain realistic from an engineering point of view.
This isn’t a pure project or portfolio management position.
It will suit someone with a strong design/development background who can manage packages of work, understand the technical detail, and influence stakeholders to deliver Commonality, Modularity & Reuse (CMR), cost savings and schedule benefits.
You’ll work at the intersection of engineering, operations and commercial outcomes, using your technical judgement to shape how the portfolio delivers value.
- What you’ll be doing
- Leading engineering delivery activities across a portfolio of complex electro‑mechanical products, focusing on technical risk, obsolescence and engineering commonality.
- Working with project teams to embed CMR principles, ensuring reuse of designs is effective, secure and commercially sensible.
- Reviewing predicted and measured benefits to ensure they are realistic from an engineering perspective, and challenging assumptions where needed.
- Acting as a key point of contact between Functions, Equipment Teams and Centres of Excellence, coordinating responses when risks or issues arise and ensuring programme plans for dependencies exist and are maintained.
- Ensuring solutions for obsolescence removal do not negatively affect established dependencies or downstream products and platforms.
- Supporting supply chain and commercial discussions by understanding how engineering decisions impact cost, schedule, exportability and operational performance for the customer.
- Driving continuous improvement and new ways of working around commonality, modularity, reuse and obsolescence, reducing hardships for delivery teams.
- Providing clear, concise summaries of multi‑faceted problems and leading small teams (c.5–6 people) to agreed outcomes through positive influence and empowerment.
- What we’re looking for
- Significant experience in an engineering discipline, with solid understanding of the full product lifecycle and the design/development process for complex electro‑mechanical equipment.
- Background in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, rail, defence or similar complex product environments.
- Proven ability to manage packages of work, prioritise across multiple projects, and keep stakeholders aligned without losing technical integrity.
- Strong stakeholder skills – able to work with, influence and, when necessary, challenge senior management and customer representatives.
- Flexible, solutions‑focused mindset, capable of tackling sophisticated technical problems with a high degree of uncertainty, complexity and inconsistency.
- Evidence of “engineering thinking”: asking the right questions, spotting common issues across products, and balancing reuse, security, cost and performance.
- Experience leading through influence, setting direction, empowering teams and improving how complex, multi‑project problems are tackled, even without formal line management.
- Why this role might suit you
This is a great opportunity for a design/development engineer who has achieved success in hands‑on engineering and now wants to move towards the business side of engineering – portfolio delivery, financial efficiencies and strategic decision‑making.
You’ll gain visibility of a broad product portfolio, be trusted to influence how products are reused and evolved, and have a clear growth path towards future head‑of or manager roles as you shape new ways of working.
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Engineering Program Manager in Stevenage employer: Innovate
Innovate is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol, where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and training, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles. Our hybrid work model promotes a healthy work-life balance, making Innovate a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Program Manager in Stevenage
✨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 Engineering Program Manager role you’re after at Innovate.
✨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 Innovate 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 Innovate.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Engineering Program Manager at Innovate, 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 Engineering Program Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Engineering Program Manager, 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 Innovate 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 Innovate 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 Innovate
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Innovate, 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 Innovate 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.
