Principal Technical Lead in Lincoln

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow, we’re creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Technical Lead, based at our Lincoln site with regular travel to Brussels, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the development and implementation of Belgium MOD’s new Joint Electronic Warfare Centre (JEWC) under Programme Esmeralda.

The Role

As a Principal Technical Lead, you will provide strategic technical leadership and governance across the design, development and implementation of the JEWC, helping to shape mission-critical capabilities that will strengthen Belgium’s defence posture for years to come. Day-to-day, you’ll lead the architectural vision, guide multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with UK & Belgium MOD stakeholders, and ensure that the JEWC is delivered with coherence, rigour and a clear enterprise blueprint.

Your responsibilities:

• Leading the definition and development of the JEWC enterprise vision and architecture
• Guiding work package creation, planning and delivery to align with JEWC goals
• Developing operational, business, logical and technology architectural views
• Providing direction and oversight across Belgium MOD, UK MOD and industry partners
• Mentoring technical teams and ensuring alignment of programme objectives
• Producing technical documentation that supports future architectural implementation

Essential experience:

• Experience architecting complex solutions within large, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong systems engineering background, including requirements capture, verification and validation, and experience supporting the full lifecycle from discovery through to design and implementation
• Ability to shape and lead technical work packages within a complex programme landscape
• Proven experience influencing senior customers and diverse stakeholder groups
• Knowledge of Electromagnetic Warfare, Intelligence or Mission Data (highly beneficial)

Essential qualifications:

• Degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computing, or related technical discipline
• Relevant architecture or systems engineering training (e.g., TOGAF, NAF)
• Equivalent professional experience will be considered

This role is full-time and will require a significant amount of time on-site in Lincoln. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites (including Brussels and RAF Waddington) should be expected. We welcome candidates who are open to relocating to Brussels or travelling there frequently as part of the role.

QinetiQ operates state-of-the-art facilities that focus on defence, security and technology innovation. These facilities enable QinetiQ to conduct a wide range of research, testing and development activities that support both military and civilian applications helping to advance technology and support national security.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential.

Our Benefits:

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous 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
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in. Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.