At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering transformation and drive innovation across the Group.
- Company: Join QinetiQ, a leader in engineering excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, health plans, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Engage with a dynamic team and enjoy opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering and make a real impact on global projects.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in engineering and a strong technical background required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Global Grade: GG17
Location: UK Selected Sites – Farnborough, Malvern, Boscombe Down, Portsmouth.
Role Purpose: Lead the transformation of engineering across the Group, positioning it as a core driver of growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Define and deliver a world‑class engineering strategy that enhances delivery performance, accelerates innovation, and strengthens QinetiQ’s reputation as a trusted technical authority with customers, partners, and regulators globally. The role will establish engineering as a critical voice at Executive level, ensuring technical excellence, innovation, and delivery confidence are central to the Group’s strategic and commercial success.
Strategic Impact of the Role:
- Establish engineering as a critical influence in Executive decision‑making.
- Enable faster, more predictable programme delivery across the Group.
- Drive adoption of digital and modern engineering practices.
- Strengthen external technical credibility with key customers and partners.
- Build a scalable, future‑ready engineering workforce and capability.
Strategy Development & Transformation of the Function:
- Define and drive the Group Engineering and Science Strategy aligned to growth priorities and market needs.
- Position engineering as a key enabler of revenue growth, competitive advantage, and customer value.
- Lead the transformation of engineering operating models, governance, and lifecycle frameworks to improve pace, predictability, and reuse.
- Champion modern engineering practices including digital engineering, model‑based systems engineering, and data‑enabled decision‑making.
- Build a world‑class engineering and science capability, including early careers, skills development, and future workforce planning.
- Define principles, policies, and standards that enable high‑performance, scalable engineering delivery across the Group.
- Own Product Safety policy and ensure alignment with regulatory and licence‑to‑operate requirements.
Delivery Confidence, Assurance and Performance:
- Provide independent technical leadership and assurance to enable confident, high‑quality programme delivery.
- Drive improvement in right‑first‑time delivery, reducing rework and increasing efficiency.
- Simplify engineering governance to enable agility while maintaining rigour and safety.
- Align closely with Sector Chief Engineers/Scientists to ensure consistency and clarity of engineering standards.
Innovation, Knowledge and Continuous Improvement:
- Establish a systematic, Group‑wide approach to knowledge management and lessons learned.
- Embed continuous improvement practices across the engineering community.
- Enable effective transfer of innovation from concept through to delivery.
Technical Community and Capability Leadership:
- Lead and inspire the Group engineering community, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and excellence.
- Build and sustain an engaged and productive technical community of interest.
- Strengthen engineering leadership capability at all levels of the organisation.
External Engagement and Influence:
- Act as a visible external ambassador for QinetiQ engineering capability.
- Build strategic partnerships across industry, academia, and government.
- Leverage external best practice to continuously enhance engineering performance and relevance.
Key Accountabilities:
- Delivery of a clear, actionable Engineering and Science Strategy for the Group.
- Measurable improvement in programme delivery performance (cost, schedule, quality).
- Increased right‑first‑time delivery and reduction in rework across programmes.
- Adoption and impact of modern engineering frameworks and toolsets.
- Contribution of engineering to business growth, win rate, and customer satisfaction.
- Simplification and effectiveness of engineering governance and assurance.
- Engagement, capability, and retention of the engineering workforce.
Key Capabilities/Knowledge:
- Strategic Leadership: Ability to shape and deliver enterprise‑wide engineering transformation.
- Executive Influence: Credibility and presence to influence and challenge at Board and Executive level.
- Technical Credibility: Deep engineering or scientific background with recognised professional standing.
- Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of how engineering drives business performance and competitive advantage.
- Transformation Expertise: Proven ability to lead large‑scale organisational and operating model change.
- Systems Thinking: Ability to connect engineering, technology, operations, and commercial outcomes.
- Collaboration and Influence: Highly effective at working across organisational and external boundaries.
- People Leadership: Track record of building high‑performing teams and long‑term capability.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Proven experience operating at senior leadership level within a complex, engineering‑led organisation.
- Track record of delivering enterprise‑wide engineering or technology transformation.
- Experience leading global functions and influencing across geographic and organisational boundaries.
- Strong external reputation for technical and/or programme excellence.
- Experience in regulated, safety‑critical, or high‑assurance environments.
- Extensive multi‑disciplinary engineering experience.
- Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional recognition).
- International experience working with global stakeholders and customers.
Our Benefits:
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
- Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
- Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
- Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
- Support for the Armed Forces community, honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
- Volunteering opportunities – helping charities and local community.
Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.
Group Director Engineering in Farnborough employer: QinetiQ
QinetiQ is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration across its UK sites in Farnborough, Malvern, Boscombe Down, and Portsmouth. With a strong commitment to employee growth, QinetiQ provides extensive development opportunities, competitive benefits including a matched pension scheme and health plans, and a culture that values the contributions of its engineering community, making it a rewarding place for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in the engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Director Engineering in Farnborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the engineering field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its engineering strategies. Understand their recent projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their growth and innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs. Highlight your leadership skills and any successful transformations you've led in previous roles. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨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 are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make some engineering magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Director Engineering in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Group Director of Engineering. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:This role is all about strategic leadership and influencing at an executive level. Be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, especially in complex engineering environments.
Highlight Technical Credibility:We want to see your deep engineering or scientific background. Include any relevant qualifications, certifications, or recognitions that demonstrate your technical expertise and credibility in the field.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at QinetiQ
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and how they align with your experience. This will help you articulate how your background in engineering leadership can drive transformation and innovation.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for engineering within the organisation. Think about how you would define and deliver a world-class engineering strategy. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led similar transformations in the past.
✨Demonstrate Technical Credibility
Given the technical nature of the role, be prepared to discuss your engineering background in detail. Highlight any relevant projects or achievements that showcase your expertise and how it has contributed to business performance and competitive advantage.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company’s engineering practices and future direction. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.
