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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the technical delivery of a complex maritime defence platform and ensure its operational readiness.
- Company: Join a leading defence technology firm with a focus on innovation and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of maritime defence technology and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in engineering leadership within maritime or defence sectors.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
An opportunity exists for a decisive and visionary Chief Engineer to lead the technical delivery of a complex maritime defence platform. This hands-on role is responsible for ensuring the platform\’s technical integrity, safety, and readiness for operational deployment. The successful candidate will act as the single point of engineering authority, guiding the progressive development of technology readiness levels (TRL) and ensuring the system meets demanding performance, safety, and reliability standards. This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and detailed technical engagement, with a focus on delivering high-integrity systems in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Authority — Own all engineering decisions and platform-level safety assurance; manage technical risk and ensure compliance with defence standards and certification requirements.
- Engineering Delivery Leadership — Align engineering execution with programme milestones and production readiness; ensure technical outputs support operational capability and customer expectations.
- Technology & Team Leadership — Inspire and develop a high-performing engineering team; maintain a clear technology roadmap that supports modularity, scalability, and open architecture principles; lead technical reviews and sign-offs, acting as the final decision-maker on design matters.
- Mission-Focused Development — Ensure all engineering activity contributes to operational advantage and mission success; collaborate across engineering, operations, support, and commercial teams to integrate delivery and technology.
- Agile Decision-Making — Make informed technical decisions under time pressure, balancing feasibility, risk, and operational need.
- Platform Architecture & Design — Define and communicate system architecture, operating principles, and performance expectations; maintain a coherent design narrative across disciplines.
- Technical Delivery Management — Ensure visibility of design progress and alignment with programme priorities; coordinate with project and programme leads to maintain delivery momentum.
- Cross-Functional Integration — Interface with systems, validation, production, and support teams to ensure platform coherence; communicate trade-offs and risks across engineering disciplines.
Required Experience
- Proven experience in a Chief Engineer or equivalent role within maritime, aerospace, or defence technology domains.
- Demonstrated authority in technical decision-making and leadership of complex systems development.
- Strong background in systems architecture, integration, and safety-critical engineering.
- Experience working with UK MOD or allied defence organisations.
- Familiarity with MBSE and digital engineering practices.
- Understanding of military operational concepts and equipment deployment.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional standing.
Skills & Attributes
- Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex trade-offs across technical and commercial boundaries.
- Strategic mindset with a delivery focus and pragmatic approach.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Confident and authoritative in technical leadership and decision-making.
- Collaborative and adaptable, with experience working across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Comfortable making calculated trade-offs to accelerate capability and delivery.
Seniorities & Employment
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Contract
- Job function: Information Technology
- Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing
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Chief Engineer- Maritime Defence Systems employer: Positiv Cohort Ltd
Contact Detail:
Positiv Cohort Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Engineer- Maritime Defence Systems
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready. Show them you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. We believe it’s a simple yet effective way to stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! We’ve got plenty of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. The more you put yourself out there, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Engineer- Maritime Defence Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Authority: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in making technical decisions. We want to see how you've led complex systems development and ensured compliance with safety standards. Be specific about your achievements!
Align with Our Mission: Demonstrate how your past experiences align with our mission-focused development approach. We’re looking for candidates who can show how their engineering activities have contributed to operational success. Make it clear how you can add value to our team!
Communicate Clearly: Your application should reflect your excellent communication skills. We need someone who can articulate complex ideas simply and effectively. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible to ensure your message comes across loud and clear.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Positiv Cohort Ltd
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Chief Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of maritime defence systems. Brush up on the latest technologies and standards in the field, and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past roles. This shows you're not just a leader but also technically savvy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and making critical decisions under pressure. Think about times when you inspired your team or navigated complex challenges. This will help interviewers see you as a decisive and visionary leader.
✨Understand the Mission
Familiarise yourself with the specific operational concepts and equipment deployment relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how your engineering decisions can contribute to mission success. This shows that you’re not just focused on technical details but also on the bigger picture.
✨Communicate Clearly
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice articulating complex ideas simply and effectively, especially when discussing trade-offs and risks. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge technical and commercial boundaries, which is crucial for a Chief Engineer.
