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
At Unum Aircraft Seating, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Lead Design Engineer, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to redefining aircraft seating, with access to competitive benefits such as 25 days holiday, a pension scheme, and electric car incentives. Our commitment to sustainability and quality, combined with opportunities for professional growth in a fast-paced environment, makes Unum an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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 people in the aerospace industry, especially those at Unum or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Unum's products and values. Show us you understand our mission to redefine business class seating and how your experience aligns with that vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've built and inspired teams, tackled challenges, and driven projects to success. Real examples will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Engineer in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Design Engineer role. Highlight your engineering leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on in aerospace or regulated industries.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about aircraft seating and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Be sure to mention your product mindset and any experience with NPD/NPI.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've built and led high-performing teams in fast-paced environments. Share specific examples of how you've inspired your team and driven successful outcomes in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Unum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in aerospace engineering principles and the specifics of product development. Brush up on your knowledge of CAD tools like SolidWorks, as well as any relevant experience with FEA, testing, and validation. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also technically savvy.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you’ve built high-performing teams in fast-paced environments. Think of specific examples where you’ve inspired your team or driven successful projects from concept to certification. This will help demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Unum values collaboration, so be ready to talk about how you’ve worked cross-functionally with different teams. Share instances where you’ve aligned engineering goals with product and business objectives, showcasing your ability to create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions that challenge your technical decision-making and risk management skills. Prepare to discuss how you balance speed, quality, and compliance in engineering processes. This will highlight your strategic thinking and hands-on capabilities, which are crucial for the Lead Design Engineer role.
