Chief Engineer

Northrop Grumman; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm in the UK seeks a Chief Engineer to ensure the technical delivery of programmes, ensuring compliance and excellence. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills, as well as experience in PLC & SCADA development. The ideal candidate will drive the technical strategy, manage resources effectively, and enhance team collaboration to deliver high-quality customer solutions. This position offers a salary between £75,000 and £95,000 with flexible working options and career growth opportunities.

Benefits

Private health care

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Performance bonuses

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams and managing resources.
• Proven track record in strategy development and technical delivery.
• Able to ensure compliance with relevant standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical delivery of programmes and ensure quality standards.
• Implement technical strategies for product development.
• Manage programme delivery teams and resources efficiently.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Delegation ability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Experience with PLC & SCADA development

Understanding of Industrial Control Systems

Tools

C++

C#

Java

Job description

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the technical delivery of programmes to our external and internal customers, acting a delegated design authority from the Chief Engineer – Control Systems, ensuring our products meet contractual and legislative standards and technical quality.

Responsibilities

• Responsible, with delegation from the Chief Engineer – Control Systems, for the technical delivery of DOU programmes to our customers, ensuring technical quality and compliance with contractual and legislative standards and delivering the programmes in accordance with agreed plans and processes.
• Responsible for the implementation of the technical strategy for the programme’s product development and maintenance.
• Responsible, with the Engineering Delivery Manager (EDM), for identifying resource demand and creating the appropriate team structure to enable programme delivery.
• Responsible, with the EDM, for task management of the programme delivery team to meet the planned schedule activities.
• Responsible for producing engineering estimates for new programmes and changes to existing programme products.
• Drive a culture of delivery, professionalism and collaboration, including personally role‑modeling excellent thought leadership, technical acumen and time management.
• Responsible for the production and continuous improvement of programme engineering procedures and associated artefacts, ensuring alignment with internal and relevant external standards as appropriate.
• Responsible for proposing Technical Directorate projects (IRAD) to support the technical strategy of the programme.
• Responsible for leading or supporting Technical Directorate projects (IRAD) as and where required.
• Responsible for ensuring Design Gate Review Packs have been produced and reviewed for successful acceptance by external stakeholders.
• Responsible for presentation to the Technical Directorate for Programme/Product status at Technical Review Boards.
• An individual personally excited to deliver programmes to our customers of the highest quality.
• A person keen to impart knowledge and support the growth of others.
• An individual looking to play a major part in growing a business to its full potential.

Competency & Skill Requirements

• Senior leader in a technology field, with demonstrable experience of people leadership.
• Broad technology experience, with demonstrable experience of capability development (people, process and technology).
• Excellent strategist and communicator who can provide clear and concise messaging both externally to clients and internally within Northrop Grumman.
• Excellent communicator, both written and verbal.
• Highly organised, self‑managing, able to manage multiple activities at any one time.
• Effective at delegating and task management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage effectively with all audiences/stakeholders at all levels in the organisation and external clients/organisations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience of Large Infrastructure PLC & SCADA development.
• Understanding of Industrial Control Systems development frameworks, V‑Model, IEC15288.
• Experience with object‑oriented programming languages such as C++, C#, Java and design and development of control/GUI software.
• Understanding of industry standards such as BS EN 61508, 61511 and 61131.
• Experience within Defence, Maritime, Aerospace, or a similarly regulated industrial sector (e.g., Oil & Gas, Pharma or PetroChem).

Security Clearance

You must be able to gain and maintain the relevant UK Government security clearance and requirements in line with the job role (SC). Our resourcing team is on hand to answer any questions and we will guide you through the process: [e-mail].

Opportunity

• This is more than just a job; it’s a mission.
• Be part of our global team of 100,000 colleagues – the possibilities for your future career are only limited by your drive. Whether you’re looking for a hands‑on internship or your next leadership position, we have career opportunities across the world. Northrop Grumman continues to expand and broaden our presence in global markets and strengthen our partnerships with local industry.
• A mission to believe in – every day we contribute to building a more secure and connected world, expanding our reach from land, sea and air to space and cyberspace. From engineering data and intelligence solutions, to developing maritime navigation and control systems and innovating command and control systems for the UK and NATO, what we do together matters.
• A place to belong and thrive – every voice matters at our table meaning you can bring your authentic self to work. From our Employee Resource Groups backed by thousands of employees, to sponsoring Cheltenham Pride and our partnerships with Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, Forces Transition Group, Mind, and Women in Defence – we are passionate about growing and supporting our inclusive community where everyone can belong.
• Your career, your way – shape your career journey with diverse roles, mentorship, and development opportunities that fuel your curiosity, channel your expertise and nurture your passion.
• We can offer you a range of flexible and hybrid working options to suit you, including optional compressed working schedules with every other Friday off. Our benefits include private health care, career development opportunities and performance bonuses. For a comprehensive list of benefits, speak to our recruitment team.

Salary

£75,000 – £95,000