At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative aircraft seating design from concept to certification.
- Company: Join Unum Aircraft Seating, a forward-thinking company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible hours, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and offers excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while leading a dynamic engineering team.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership in aerospace and proven product development experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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 include:
- 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 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? 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
Unum is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, particularly for those in the Actuarial Risk and Capital team. With a hybrid work environment in Dorking, employees benefit from competitive salaries, performance incentives, and extensive support services, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development in the actuarial field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer in Crawley
✨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 Unum for a Lead Design Engineer. 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 Lead Design Engineer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Unum, 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 Unum, 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 Unum
✨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 Unum.
✨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 Unum. 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 Unum love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
