Assistant Chief Development Engineer – Trent Fleet Derby – Hybrid Full time
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Assistant Chief Development Engineer – Trent Fleet to join the Trent Fleet Development team within Civil Aerospace. In this role, you will support the Chief Development Engineer in the leadership and governance of Fleet Development activities, leading the planning, coordination and delivery of Development Engineering activities across Fleet programmes and product support initiatives. Trent Fleet Development plays a critical role in supporting our in‑service products, protecting customer operations and continuously improving the reliability, durability and performance of our engines. This position provides a unique opportunity to influence engineering decisions across the Trent fleet portfolio, work with senior technical and programme leaders, and develop strategic leadership experience within Development Engineering. You will also help shape the future capability and effectiveness of Development Engineering.
What you will be doing
- Supporting the Chief Development Engineer in the leadership and governance of Fleet Development activities.
- Acting as delegate for the Chief Development Engineer when required.
- Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of Development Engineering activities across Fleet programmes and product support initiatives.
- Ensuring robust verification strategies and development plans are established and executed to meet technical, certification and business requirements.
- Leading multidisciplinary teams in the resolution of complex technical issues affecting fleet performance, reliability and customer operation.
- Driving effective prioritisation of resources, development hardware, test capability and engineering effort across competing business demands.
- Providing technical leadership and direction to Development Engineers and Project Development Engineers.
- Ensuring appropriate management of technical risk and opportunity throughout programme execution.
- Supporting product safety, airworthiness and certification activities in accordance with Rolls‑Royce processes and governance requirements.
- Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with Engineering, Programmes, Customer Team, Services, Safety, Certification and external stakeholders.
- Championing continuous improvement and driving adoption of best practice across Development Engineering.
Position Qualifications
- Degree-qualified in an engineering or relevant STEM discipline.
- Significant experience within Development Engineering, Verification & Validation, Test & Experimental Engineering or related engineering functions.
- Sound understanding of engine development, verification strategy development and certification processes.
- Experience leading complex technical activities involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong programme and delivery management skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing capability.
- Ability to make balanced engineering decisions under pressure and in ambiguous situations.
- Experience managing technical risk and driving issue resolution.
- Strong understanding of product safety, quality and engineering governance requirements.
Preferred Requirements
- Passion for developing people, capability and organisational performance.
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi‑year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls‑Royce into a high‑performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non‑discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role.
We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Grade: Level C
Closing Date: 29th October 2026
People Leader: Jonathan Peacock – Chief Development Engineer Fleet or Steve Bowen – Chief of Development Engineering – Civil/UK
For further information, please contact: Jaspreet Bagga
Job Category Validation and Verification
Rolls-Royce pioneers cutting‑edge technologies that deliver the cleanest, safest and most competitive solutions to our planet’s vital power needs.
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Assistant Chief Development Engineer - Trent Fleet employer: Rolls-Royce Corporation
Rolls-Royce is an exceptional employer, offering Mechanical Design & Product Definition Engineers the chance to work on cutting-edge aerospace and defence projects in a dynamic environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth through continuous learning and tailored career pathways, alongside a culture that values diversity and innovation, Rolls-Royce fosters a workplace where individuality is celebrated and every team member can thrive. Located in Bristol, Derby, or Solihull, employees benefit from a flexible reward package and extraordinary leadership, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
