At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multidisciplinary team in designing cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles for maritime applications.
- Company: Join SYOS, a fast-growing global robotics and aerospace company pushing technological boundaries.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to work on innovative projects.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the exciting field of uncrewed vehicle design and technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in design engineering with leadership experience; strong problem-solving and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
SYOS is a fast-growing global robotics and aerospace company, driving the development of cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles (drones) across air, land, and sea for dual-use applications. We are committed to pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional products that consistently exceed customer expectations.
We're looking for a highly skilled and experienced Head of Vehicle Design to guide our design engineering team within our USV (Uncrewed Surface Vessel) production facility. This pivotal role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software design engineers, ensuring the successful technical execution of our USV production efforts. You will be the key technical lead, and interface between our USV production and our New Zealand-based R&D design engineering team, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer. Working closely with the Programme Manager, you'll translate customer technical requirements into actionable engineering tasks, while also providing critical insights into technical feasibility and innovation opportunities. As a leader, you'll drive decision-making for the design engineering team, ensuring technical excellence and efficient problem-solving. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles within a global aerospace and robotics company.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership: Set the technical vision for the UK engineering team, providing direction, mentorship, and oversight across all engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software).
- Design Authority: Own and approve all major design decisions, system architectures, and technical documentation, ensuring they meet internal standards and customer requirements.
- System Architecture & Budget Ownership: Define and control the system architecture to balance capability, scalability, and cost. Align technical design choices with programme budgets, commercial constraints, and lifecycle cost targets.
- Standards & Quality: Establish and enforce engineering standards, processes, and quality benchmarks to ensure consistency, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
- Problem Solving: Lead the resolution of complex engineering challenges, de-risking the technical roadmap and unblocking delivery obstacles.
- Team Development: Support recruitment, onboarding, and career development of engineers within the UK. Set clear goals, deliver performance feedback, and foster a culture of accountability and growth.
- Innovation Culture: Promote continuous improvement, emerging technology adoption, and innovative thinking across the team.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the technical interface between engineering and internal/external stakeholders, including product managers, OEM partners, and customers.
- Systems Integration Oversight: Guide best practices in UXV system integration, testing, and validation – from platform hardware through to AI-enabled autonomy and control systems.
- Risk Management: Identify technical and programme-level risks early, developing and driving mitigation strategies.
- Field & Product Performance: Monitor performance metrics from development through deployment, using trial feedback to inform iterative improvements.
- Communication & Reporting: Provide clear, concise technical updates and programme status to senior leadership, partners, and customers.
- Requirements Translation: Convert customer needs and business goals into actionable engineering plans and system specifications.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in design engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or technical lead role, preferably within a production or manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software).
- Strong understanding of USV systems, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems.
- Proven ability to translate customer requirements into technical specifications and lead design execution.
- Exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong analytical mindset.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams across different geographical locations.
- Familiarity with design tools and methodologies relevant to mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.
- Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems is an advantage.
How to apply: If you are an experienced and skilled Vehicle Design Lead – Maritime who meets the requirements and is ready to work with a legendary team, we encourage you to apply.
Security Clearance: Willingness to undergo SC clearance as required.
Head of Vehicle Design, Maritime in Southampton employer: Syos Aerospace
At SYOS, we pride ourselves on being a leading global robotics and aerospace company that fosters an innovative and collaborative work culture. As the Head of Vehicle Design, you will not only lead a talented team in a state-of-the-art USV production facility but also benefit from extensive career development opportunities and a commitment to pushing technological boundaries. Join us in shaping the future of uncrewed vehicles while enjoying a supportive environment that values your expertise and encourages continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Vehicle Design, Maritime in Southampton
✨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 Syos Aerospace for a Head of Vehicle Design, Maritime. 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 Head of Vehicle Design, Maritime in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Syos Aerospace, 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 Syos Aerospace, 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 Syos Aerospace
✨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 Syos Aerospace.
✨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 Syos Aerospace. 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 Syos Aerospace love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
