Lead Design Engineer

Al Tariq; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

EDGE is seeking an experienced Lead Design Engineer – Turrets & Weapon Systems (TWS) to own design from concept through prototype verification. You will lead a multidisciplinary team, drive technical performance, and ensure cost and schedule targets are met.

The role requires hands-on CAD work, systems engineering, and collaboration with manufacturing, testing, and production teams across an international environment in Abu Dhabi.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical/electronic, software engineering or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of design and development experience in turrets and weapon systems.
• 2+ years of experience leading engineers or designers.
• Hands-on experience with manned/unmanned turrets or weapon systems.
• Experience taking designs from concept through prototype, integration and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of turrets and weapon systems, including remote weapon stations.
• Perform CAD design, calculations, material and subsystem selection, and requirements analysis.
• Mentor engineers and designers, set tasks and priorities.
• Own design packages from concept through prototype verification and integration.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams in product development lifecycle.
• Support prototype manufacturing, assembly, verification, and testing.
• Review and verify Technical Data Packs for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide timely updates to R&D leadership on risks and mitigation plans.

Skills

Leadership experience

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Prototype verification

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Software Engineering or related

Masters or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline

Tools

CAD

PLM

CAE

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Job Description:

ABOUT EDGE

At EDGE bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve and save lives.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a leading advanced technology group working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Spanning more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence, we are purpose-built to move fast. Free from heavy legacy processes, we give our people the autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.

Based in Abu Dhabi, a globally connected hub at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, EDGE is home to a truly multicultural community where bold ideas thrive, and the future is shaped.

Together, we are shaping the future.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Lead Design Engineer – Turrets & Weapon Systems (TWS) to join our team.

This role combines hands-on engineering and design with technical leadership, taking ownership of Turrets & Weapon Systems development from concept through prototype manufacturing, integration, and verification. The successful candidate will lead and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team while ensuring technical performance, quality, cost, and project requirements are achieved.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of manned and unmanned Turrets & Weapon Systems, including Remote Weapon Stations (RWS).
• Perform hands-on engineering and design activities, including CAD design, engineering calculations, material and subsystem selection, and requirements analysis.
• Lead and mentor engineers and designers, defining technical tasks, priorities, and development objectives.
• Own assigned design packages and subsystems from concept through prototype verification.
• Develop technical solutions that meet defined performance, cost, quality, and schedule requirements.
• Lead and support prototype manufacturing, assembly, integration, and verification activities.
• Perform systems engineering activities and ensure effective integration between relevant subsystems.
• Review and verify Technical Data Packs (TDPs), ensuring technical accuracy, completeness, and quality.
• Define engineering work packages, resource requirements, and development plans.
• Monitor engineering progress, technical risks, dependencies, and project milestones.
• Implement and maintain engineering processes, procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, testing, and production teams throughout the product-development lifecycle.
• Provide engineering support during product introduction, serial production, and after-sales activities.
• Provide timely technical updates to R&D leadership, highlighting key risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Software Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in the design and development of Turrets & Weapon Systems (T&WS).
• Minimum 2 years of experience leading or managing engineers and/or designers.
• Strong hands-on experience with manned/unmanned turrets, Remote Weapon Stations, or related weapon systems.
• Strong understanding of turret and weapon-system subsystems and their integration.
• Experience taking engineering designs from concept through prototype, integration, and verification.
• Strong knowledge of engineering principles, design processes, and product-release requirements.
• Experience developing and reviewing Technical Data Packs (TDPs).
• Proficiency with relevant engineering tools such as CAD, PLM, CAE, MATLAB/Simulink, or other discipline-specific engineering tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters or PhD degree in a relevant Engineering discipline.
• Demonstrated experience delivering completed Turret, RWS, or major weapon-system subsystem designs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong Systems Engineering experience.
• Experience with prototype assembly, integration, verification, and testing.
• Knowledge of global Turrets & Weapon Systems subsystem suppliers.
• Experience supporting products through development, industrialization, serial production, and after-sales support.
• Strong understanding of engineering project planning, technical risk management, and resource planning.
• Previous experience within the defence, land systems, armoured vehicle, or weapon systems industry.

WHY CHOOSE EDGE

Launched in November 2019, the UAEs EDGE is one of the worlds leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.

At EDGE, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, EDGE is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Working at EDGE also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to EDGE.

Any information you share as part of your EDGE candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.

EDGE is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.

Please note that EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Any resumes in the absence of a formally executed agreement in place will be deemed the property of EDGE, and no placement fees or compensation will be payable in respect of such submissions.