Chief Engineer - Mission Systems IDT

QinetiQ; Malvern; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology company in the UK is seeking a Chief Engineer – Mission Systems IDT in Malvern to provide strategic engineering leadership within the UK Intelligence sector. This role involves crafting engineering strategies, leading technical projects, and fostering collaborative relationships. A first degree in Science or Engineering, along with substantial leadership experience, is essential. The position offers hybrid working options and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies while contributing to national defense efforts.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Generous holiday allowance

Options for Health Cash Plan and Private Medical Insurance

Employee discount portal

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience providing strategic leadership across disciplines.
• Extensive experience using conceptual and innovative thinking as an SME.
• Strong communication skills with internal and external negotiation abilities.
• Expertise in performing complex engineering or technical assignments.
• Understanding of project management methodologies and Agile delivery.
• Experience managing a team of technical experts.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of strategic projects in the IDT.
• Set engineering strategy for the IDT against objectives.
• Build relationships with customers, partners, and senior management.
• Ensure deliverables meet technical standards and comply with processes.
• Lead a team of experts from across UKI and foster collaboration.
• Support development of aligned staff in Engineering and Operations.

Skills

Strategic leadership experience

Conceptual and innovative thinking

Strong communication skills

Team management

Project management methodologies

Delivering Agile projects

Education

First degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Chief Engineer – Mission Systems IDT at our Malvern site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Chief Engineer – Mission Systems IDT, you will provide strategic engineering leadership to the Mission Systems IDT within the UK Intelligence sector of the business in order to meet business objectives and deliver growth.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll provide the engineering vision and direction at a strategic level for the IDT Lead of Mission Systems and assure the effective and efficient implementation of the IDT engineering strategy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing technical leadership of strategic projects and opportunities in the IDT providing guidance and direction to other Technical Leads
• Setting the engineering strategy for the IDT and delivering this against objectives
• Building and retaining strong relationships with customers, partners and colleagues at senior management levels
• Providing technical assurance, ensuring that all deliverables (including bids) meet appropriate technical standards and comply with processes and procedures
• Forming and leading a team of experts from across UKI forging strong intra and inter‑company collaborative working relationships
• Supporting the development of aligned staff in the Engineering and Operations Disciplines and supporting resourcing decisions

Essential experience of the Chief Engineer – Mission Systems IDT

• Proven experience providing strategic leadership across disciplines
• Extensive experience using conceptual and innovative thinking acting as an SME within the team
• Strong developed communication skills with an ability to negotiate internally and externally
• Expertise in being a leader who can perform complex engineering/technical assignments developing creative, yet practical solutions to customer problems
• A strong understanding of various project management methodologies and experience of delivering Agile projects at scale
• Experience managing a team of technical experts within a technical or professional area

Essential qualifications for the Chief Engineer – Mission Systems IDT

• A first degree in Science or Engineering, or an equivalent nationally recognised professional qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education; provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn, then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at our Malvern site. Hybrid working options available. Travel to other QinetiQ and customer sites will be expected.

The Malvern facility is noted for its work in electronic warfare, surveillance and complex system integration, contributing significantly to the UK’s defence capabilities. Developing technologies for military and civilian applications, including sensors, communications and cyber security.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities – helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)