At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations and drive improvements in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Rowden, a cutting-edge tech company based in Bristol.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving operational challenges in engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience in scaling engineering environments and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 80000 £ per year.
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Bristol, UK
Reporting To: Luke Rank
Compensation: GBP 50,000 - GBP 80,000 / year
About Rowden: We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Headquartered in Bristol, we operate over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities and have a growing international footprint.
The role: Rowden's engineering organisation is scaling rapidly. As Engineering Operations Manager, you will work closely with the VP Engineering to help scale the engineering organisation effectively, identifying friction, capability gaps, and operational improvements. You will also lead the execution of engineering initiatives from tooling to new engineering capabilities.
Eligibility: Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance. More information about security clearance is available here: Security Vetting
Key areas of responsibility:
- Building an accurate view of how engineering is operating across the business – unearthing delivery pressure points, capability gaps, scaling risks, and operational improvements early.
- Interrogating forecasts, delivery assumptions, engineering demand, and technical constraints to understand the realities of trade‑offs and priorities.
- Turning fragmented information from projects, teams, bids, and delivery reviews into clear operational insight that supports fast, high‑conviction decisions.
- Leading engineering improvement initiatives across tooling, workflows, and engineering ways of working.
- Spending time close to the teams and the work to understand how engineering operates on the ground.
- Driving the operational cadence of the engineering function across planning, reviews, reporting, and cross‑functional coordination.
- Coordinating the engineering graduate scheme, including rotations, placement planning, and building long‑term engineering capability.
Key skills, experience and behaviours:
- Experience operating within scaling engineering or technical delivery environments where priorities, demand, and constraints are constantly evolving.
- Strong systems thinking and operational judgement, with the ability to understand how decisions in one area impact delivery, teams, and engineering capacity elsewhere.
- The ability to absorb complex information quickly, identify patterns and risks early, and bring clarity to ambiguous situations.
- Sufficient technical fluency to engage confidently with engineers across multiple disciplines and build credibility within technical teams.
- A naturally curious and proactive approach, with a desire to understand how teams really operate and where improvements can have the biggest impact.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and navigate competing viewpoints or priorities.
- High levels of ownership, organisation, and follow‑through, with the ability to maintain momentum across multiple initiatives at once.
- A pragmatic mindset focused on helping engineering teams scale effectively without adding unnecessary process, overhead, or complexity.
About you:
- Curious about how engineering organisations really operate and motivated by solving operational challenges.
- Comfortable operating across fast‑moving teams, competing priorities, and technical domains.
- Confident asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions, and bringing clarity to ambiguity.
- Pragmatic and execution‑focused, with a bias toward improving how teams work without adding bureaucracy.
- Motivated by helping engineering teams scale, collaborate effectively, and do their best work.
Working at Rowden: We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. We recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company and actively encourages people with disabilities and health conditions to apply. We welcome opportunities to discuss flexibility, part‑time working, and workplace adjustments with all applicants.
Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery employer: Rowden
Rowden is an exceptional employer located in Bristol, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a commitment to flexible working and inclusivity, employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises personal growth and development, alongside competitive compensation. The company's focus on operational excellence and engineering improvement initiatives provides unique opportunities for professionals to make a meaningful impact in a rapidly scaling organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery role you’re after at Rowden.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Rowden a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Rowden.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery at Rowden, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Engineering Operations Lead — Scale Engineering Delivery, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Rowden a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Rowden specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Rowden
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Rowden, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Rowden want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
