Chief Engineer

Stirling Dynamics; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Bristol is seeking a Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for complex projects. The role requires significant industry experience and involves engaging with diverse stakeholders across aerospace and marine sectors. Responsibilities include forming technical bids and ensuring project governance. A relevant engineering degree and over 15 years of industry experience are essential. Competitive salary starts at £65k, with negotiable benefits for the right candidate.

Benefits

Negotiable salary based on experience

Social events throughout the year

Qualifications

• Qualified engineer with a relevant degree required.
• Over 15 years of industry experience in relevant sectors.
• Experience in technical leadership of complex engineering projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical teams and ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide governance and support during project phases.
• Define future technical direction for products and services.

Skills

Leadership of multi-disciplined teams

Customer relationship management

Technical governance and delivery

Problem-solving and proposal offering

Attention to detail

Project management

Adaptability to change

Education

Relevant engineering degree

Job description

Overview

Stirling Dynamics is recruiting a Chief Engineer to join the team.

Due to a strong orderbook and continued growth, Stirling Dynamics are looking for highly experienced engineers to provide technical leadership and governance through the bid and complex project delivery phases.

Stirling operates a matrix organisation with engineering capability on one axis (engineering teams / departments – organised by discipline, each led by a Technical Manager) and project delivery on the other (project management delivering on behalf of business units – project management is led by the Head of Programmes and each business unit by a Business Manager).

The Chief Engineer role will report directly to the Engineering Director and will sit on the delivery axis working with the business stakeholders and technical teams to ensure both bid and project solutions are technically optimal (considering time, cost etc.) while adhering to customer and regulative requirements.

The Chief Engineer may provide a ‘governance’ role where they provide independent review of technical solutions, or, alternatively, may be more actively engaged in the ‘technical leadership’ of specific, complex projects or bids.

The work will be immensely diverse spanning aerospace, marine and training & simulation. Aerospace covers both civil and military platforms and the scope may include; fixed wing and rotary wing (including eVTOL) aircraft both large and small. Projects span airworthy equipment development, complex modifications through to new aircraft development programmes. Within Marine, the scope includes the development of submarine control system solutions and niche consultancy services. The Training & Simulation entails the design, development and manufacture of a wide range of active and passive bespoke cockpit control solutions delivered to a worldwide customer base.

Ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate the successful leadership of multi-disciplined teams and delivery of complex engineering projects / programmes relevant to one or more of the industry areas detailed above. Due to the diversity across the company, Stirling is expecting to need to recruit multiple individuals to cover the applicable sectors.

The role will be highly visible both internally and externally, therefore the ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders (customers, regulators, internal teams etc.) is essential.

This role will be predominantly based in our Bristol office with occasional travel to our clients’ sites as required, we will also accept hybrid working.

Responsibilities

Business Development

• Support the team (sales & business managers) by providing customer facing technical expertise and ‘solutioneering’ prior to formal bid activities.
• Be of a mindset to continually look for and identify new opportunities both with new and existing customers.

Bids

• During the bid phase, work closely with the business team but be responsible for the formation of the technical response to the customer. Where required, engage the Technical Managers and / or engineering community to support bid activity. The objective is to ensure the technical solution is compelling, robust and complies with the applicable requirements.

Project Delivery

Where bids have been successful and awarded, follow the bid through the project launch phase to ensure a seamless transition from a technical standpoint.

• Provide technical governance and support to projects, as required, to ensure successful delivery (for example : reviewing engineering plans or key deliverables, chairing design reviews, providing independent advice to technical leads etc.).
• On complex projects / programmes, act as the technical lead to ensure the successful delivery (a compliant, high quality, on-time and profitable technical solution).

Strategy

• Assist in defining the future technical direction of new and existing products and services.

Skills

• The personal qualities of the jobholder will be key to success in this role. The following characteristics and qualities are identified as essential for the role :
• Able to engage and successfully lead multi-disciplined engineering teams in order to achieve a successful outcome
• A diplomatic and professional approach to dealing with a range of different people
• The confidence / experience to challenge / question and propose solutions
• The ability to manage multiple, complex tasks
• Pragmatic and logical
• Attention to detail and the discipline to self-check results
• The organisation and drive to meet deadlines
• Willingness to embrace change and to implement new processes

Experience

Essential

• A qualified engineer with a relevant degree
• Significant industry experience (>15yrs) in a relevant sector(s)
• Demonstrable experience in the formation of technical bids
• Demonstrable experience in the technical leadership and delivery of complex engineering projects

Desirable

• Currently holds Security Check (SC) clearance or is eligible to obtain

Benefits

£65k+ (negotiable based on experience)

We offer a range of benefits to our employees to recognise their efforts. Playing hard is equally as important as working hard, so regular events are held throughout the year which provide an ideal opportunity to mix socially.