Lead ILS Engineer in Gateshead

Kongsberg Maritime is a global leader in delivering advanced positioning, navigation, automation, and monitoring systems to vessels and offshore installations worldwide. Our technology supports some of the most complex and safety‑critical maritime operations, including naval and defence programmes. We are now seeking a Lead Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Engineer to join our team at our Gateshead site. This is a key role within the organisation, offering the opportunity to take ownership of ILS delivery for major Naval programmes and to play a central part in ensuring contractual and customer requirements are met.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for developing, managing, and delivering ILS content across the programme lifecycle. The successful candidate will bring a proactive, solutions‑focused approach, alongside a high degree of flexibility and the ability to operate effectively within a complex, regulated environment.

What you will be doing:

• Lead and manage the ILS engineering team, including task allocation, performance management, mentoring, and developing capability within the ILS discipline.
• Review customer ILS requirements and provide guidance to the sales and estimating teams during bid and proposal phases, ensuring accurate costing and achievable commitments.
• Act as the primary Reliability, Maintainability and Supportability focal point within the engineering organisation, providing expert oversight and coaching to the wider ILS team.
• Develop and maintain the overall ILS strategy, ensuring ILS activities are effectively planned, resourced, prioritised and delivered by the ILS engineering team.
• Oversee the creation, verification and configuration control of system reliability analysis data and documentation, including: FMECA, MTBF/MTTR assessments, RBD/FTA, Spare Parts & Consumables analysis, and Life Cycle Cost estimations.
• Manage and quality‑assure the team’s NATO Codification activities, ensuring compliance with contract and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and review preparation of all ILS and supportability documentation, including Supportability Case Reports, ARM Reports, equipment maintenance manuals, training material, and associated engineering evidence.
• Act as primary liaison with the customer and 3rd‑party ILS specialists, representing both your team and the engineering function professionally and effectively.
• Promote continuous improvement across ILS processes, toolsets, and methodologies, ensuring the team meets evolving capability and customer expectations.
• Carry out any other tasks as delegated by the Engineering Manager.

We think you should have:

• Degree or HND/HNC qualified with relevant practical experience (Naval / Marine background desirable).
• Experience of systems engineering processes, product development & through life support life‑cycles.
• Sound knowledge of ILS standards such as Def Stan 00-600, ASD S3000L, JSP 886, Def Con 117, with an understanding of the customer environment, structure and processes.
• Experience of working with technical publications, including ASD S1000D.
• Experience of NATO Codification requirements and Spares Modelling.
• Experience using ReliaSoftXFMEA and BlockSim or similar reliability modelling software.
• Strong interpersonal and highly developed verbal and written communication skills for interacting with internal and external stakeholders.
• You will be flexible and able to adapt to rapidly changing requirements and priorities.
• You must be willing to travel occasionally within the UK and possibly overseas.

You are able to:

• Adhere to company rules and procedures and execute plans with commitment and determination.
• Analyse complex issues and problems and come up with rational judgments.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and expertise in own area.
• Communicate in a clear, precise and structured way.
• Co‑operate well with others, share knowledge, experience, information and support others in the pursuit of team goals.

An exciting and important position working for the world‑leading supplier of maritime solutions. Be part of a diverse team spread across several countries, embracing collaboration and cultural diversity. Competitive pay and benefits, including attractive insurance policies and pension schemes. We offer hybrid working arrangement.

Where you will be working: Gateshead

Interested in knowing more? Contact Craig Clarke, Engineering Manager. This employment may require a pre‑employment check procedure in accordance with company security standards, role or site requirements. Please note that this might affect the offer process or employment.