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- Tasks: Lead innovative aircraft seating design from concept to certification and inspire a high-performing team.
- Company: Join Unum Aircraft Seating, a forward-thinking company redefining business class comfort.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, early Friday finishes, pension schemes, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive environment valuing diversity; we welcome all qualified applicants.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace with a startup mentality and collaborative culture.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering leadership in aerospace and proven product delivery experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Unum Aircraft Seating, we're redefining business class with smart, adaptable seating designed for comfort, reliability, and on-time delivery. Culture matters to us. We're looking for thoughtful, respectful team players who lead with integrity, collaborate openly, and help create a positive environment for everyone.
As we continue to scale and deliver next-generation aircraft seating, we're looking for a Lead Design Engineer to lead our product development and engineering capability. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where leadership, product thinking, and delivery excellence come together.
Why Join Unum?
Be part of our growing, ambitious business with a startup mentality and a culture built on collaboration, sustainability, and quality. Competitive salary and benefits including:
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- 1pm finish on Fridays
- Pension scheme
- Electric car & cycle-to-work schemes
- Employee discounts
What you'll do in this role as Lead Design Engineer
- Own and drive engineering strategy aligned with product and business goals.
- Lead New Product Development (NPD) end-to-end – from concept through to certification and entry into service.
- Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing engineering team.
- Work cross-functionally with Product, Design, and Commercial teams to deliver the roadmap.
- Create a culture of accountability, clarity, and continuous improvement.
- Stay close to the work – guiding architecture, challenging design decisions, and unblocking teams.
- Drive efficient engineering processes that balance speed, quality, and compliance.
- Ensure products meet stringent aerospace certification and regulatory requirements.
- Lead technical decision-making, trade-offs, and risk management across programmes.
- Manage engineering capacity, priorities, and delivery to meet ambitious timelines.
- Build strong, outcome-focused relationships with suppliers and partners.
- Introduce metrics to track performance, product quality, and delivery reliability.
- Champion innovation in materials, mechanisms, and passenger experience.
What we're looking for in a Lead Design Engineer
- Strong engineering leadership experience in aerospace or another regulated industry.
- Proven track record of delivering complex products through full lifecycle (NPD/NPI).
- Experience building and leading high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.
- Deep understanding of product development, manufacturing, and certification.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.
- Strong product mindset with a focus on customer and business impact.
- Clear communicator who can align teams and drive decisions.
Nice to have:
- Aircraft seating or cabin interiors experience.
- Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g. SolidWorks).
- Experience with FEA, testing, and validation.
- Exposure to lean, agile, or startup-style environments.
Ready to lead the engineering behind world-class aircraft seating? Apply now - we'd love to hear from you.
Unum Aircraft Seating is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and respected. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Proof of eligibility will be required prior to commencing employment.
At Unum, we're dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all applicants and a first-class candidate experience. If you require any reasonable adjustments during your interview process, please let us know.
Lead Design Engineer in Crawley employer: Unum Aircraft Seating Limited
Contact Detail:
Unum Aircraft Seating Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aerospace industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Lead Design Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Unum Aircraft Seating thoroughly. Understand their products, culture, and values. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've built and inspired high-performing teams in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to drive engineering strategy and deliver results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Unum and contributing to their mission of redefining business class seating.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Engineer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Design Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in aerospace or regulated industries, and showcase how your leadership skills align with our values at Unum.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact on product development and team performance.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value thoughtful and respectful team players, so don’t hesitate to express your passion for engineering and innovation in your writing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our engineering efforts.
How to prepare for a job interview at Unum Aircraft Seating Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your engineering principles, especially those related to aerospace and product development. Familiarise yourself with Unum's products and their unique features, as well as the latest trends in aircraft seating. This will show that you're genuinely interested and prepared.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Design Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in fast-paced environments. Highlight your experience in driving projects from concept to certification.
✨Communicate Clearly
Unum values clear communication, so practice articulating your thoughts and ideas succinctly. Be ready to discuss how you align teams and drive decisions, as well as how you handle technical challenges. Good communication can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working cross-functionally, be prepared to talk about your experiences collaborating with different teams, such as Product, Design, and Commercial. Share specific examples of how you've fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in your previous roles.