At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in designing cutting-edge avionics and embedded systems for unmanned air vehicles.
- Company: Specialist aerospace company at the forefront of UK aviation technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 9-day fortnight, bonus scheme, enhanced leave, and casual dress.
- Other info: Join a culture focused on quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven hardware engineering experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
We're a specialist aerospace company focused on the development of advanced unmanned air vehicles, operating at the cutting edge of UK aviation technology. With a strong culture of in-house design and manufacturing, our engineering teams own the full product lifecycle from concept through to production.
We're looking for an experienced Hardware Engineering Manager to lead our Avionics & Embedded Hardware function, combining deep technical expertise with strong people leadership to drive both near-term delivery and long-term capability growth.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing specialist engineering leadership to a multidisciplinary team of hardware engineers spanning PCB design, FPGA development and avionics integration, including performance management, coaching and career development.
- Setting and maintaining technical standards, processes and best practices across hardware design and verification disciplines.
- Guiding system architecture decisions for hardware platforms, component selection, design-for-manufacture and avionics integration alongside principal engineers and stakeholders.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable aerospace, hardware safety and regulatory standards throughout the development lifecycle.
- Leading and supporting project delivery across assigned programmes, including planning, risk management and issue resolution.
- Organising and chairing hardware design reviews, verification reviews and technical bid reviews.
- Identifying and managing relevant business partnerships, sub-contracts and specialist hardware suppliers.
- Collaborating with software, mechanical, programme and operations teams to align hardware engineering priorities with business goals.
- Building and sustaining a high-performing engineering culture centred on quality, safety and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
Essential:- Proven engineering experience in hardware design and development, covering areas such as PCB design, FPGA, microprocessor-based systems and/or avionics hardware for aerospace or safety-critical platforms.
- Several roles held at lead or management level within a hardware engineering function.
- Strong grounding in systems engineering principles, hardware lifecycle management, verification & validation and design-for-test methodologies.
- Familiarity with aerospace and hardware safety standards (e.g. DO-254, DO-160, MIL-STD-461, IEC 61508).
- Confident technical decision-maker in complex, multi-disciplinary environments.
- Strong communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (requires 5 years' UK residency).
- Bachelor's degree in Electronic or Hardware Engineering or related technical field (Master's preferred).
- Prior experience in a functional or line-management capacity within a hardware engineering team.
- Background in regulated or safety-critical development environments (aerospace, defence, rail, automotive).
- Experience with UAV/UAS hardware architecture, high-integrity design or hardware/software co-design.
- Programme or project delivery experience.
What's On Offer
- 9-day fortnight working pattern.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- Share incentive plan.
- Enhanced maternity & paternity leave.
- Company pension & sick pay.
- 20 days annual leave, rising with service.
- Cycle to Work scheme, EAP, Mental Health First Aiders.
- Free parking, free lunch on Fridays, casual dress.
To Apply
Send your CV and a short cover note outlining your relevant experience via direct message or the application link below.
We are an equal opportunities employer committed to building an inclusive team. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout our recruitment process. Due to the nature of our work, candidates will be subject to security and export control checks.
Hardware Engineering Manager in Stockport employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™
Join a pioneering aerospace company in Maidenhead, where innovation meets opportunity. As a Hardware Engineering Manager, you'll lead a talented team in a collaborative environment that prioritises quality and safety, while enjoying a competitive salary, flexible working patterns, and a range of benefits including enhanced leave and a share incentive plan. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a culture that values continuous improvement, this is an exceptional place to advance your career in the cutting-edge field of unmanned air systems.
Contact Details:
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hardware Engineering Manager in Stockport
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ for a Hardware Engineering Manager. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Hardware Engineering Manager in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B Corporation™ love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
