Deputy Head of Design (Aircraft)

Raytheon Systems; Aylesbury; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in defence and aerospace technology is seeking a Deputy Head of Design (Aircraft) to lead and manage engineering teams. This role involves ensuring compliance with airworthiness regulations, maintaining design excellence, and fostering professional development among aircraft design engineers. You'll be part of a collaborative environment that values innovation and personal growth, contributing to national security and technological advancement. If you're passionate about aerospace engineering and leading diverse teams, this is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic field.

Benefits

Competitive Salaries

25 Days Holiday

Contributory Pension Scheme

Company Bonus Scheme

Life Assurance

Flexible Benefits Scheme

Enhanced Sick Pay

Enhanced Family Friendly Policies

Car / Car Allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of aircraft design and airworthiness regulations.
• Proven track record in managing multi-disciplined engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with engineering heads to ensure professional development.
• Maintain a documented design management system for compliance.
• Supervise design subcontractors and manage risks.

Skills

Aircraft Engineering

Complex Electronic Systems

Mechanical/Structures Knowledge

Airworthiness Regulations

Team Management

Technical Compliance

Diplomatic Communication

Education

Degree in Aeronautics, Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics

Design Organisation Approval Training

Job description

Date Posted:
2025-02-13
Country:
United Kingdom
Location:
GBR05: Broughton, Hangar 119, Chester Road, Bretton, Chester, CH4 0DH
Position Role Type:
Unspecified

Deputy Head of Design (Aircraft)
Location: Broughton, North Wales

Raytheon UK

At Raytheon UK, we take immense pride in being a leader in defence and aerospace technology. As an employer, we are dedicated to fuelling innovation, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of excellence.

Joining our team means being part of an organisation that shapes the future of national security whilst investing in your growth and personal development. We provide a collaborative environment, abundant opportunities for professional development, and a profound sense of purpose in what we do. Together, we are not just advancing technology; we're building a community committed to safeguarding a safer and more connected world.

About the role:
To deputise for the Head of Design (Aircraft), under RUK's CAA & MAA Design Approvals, in relation to the below requirements and responsibilities.

Skills and Experience

• An aircraft engineering industry background is required, the candidate will need adequate breadth and depth of knowledge of complex electronic systems, mechanical/structures, cabin interiors, aerodynamics, aircraft performance and control. The candidate should have extensive knowledge of initial/type airworthiness regulations and have senior level experience working in an organisation with civil (CAA 21J/BCAR A8-21) or military aircraft design approvals (DAOS).
• The appointee will have a proven track record in managing large, multi-disciplined engineering teams through a significant portion of the engineering lifecycle (requirements capture, functional analysis, design, integration, trials, acceptance, in service support).
• Previous compliance verification engineer and/or office of airworthiness experience along with experience of working within or with aircraft maintenance, production, continuing airworthiness organisations and safety management systems is highly desirable but not essential.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly assimilate large and complex technical information and the ability to lead and motivate a team to meet demanding technical milestones whilst ensuring compliance and safety.
• They must be supportive of diverse and inclusive cultures and have a political awareness that facilitates diplomatic but firm handling of sensitive customer issues at all levels.
• This is a position of high visibility where proven organisational skills combined with sound technical and pragmatic judgement is required.

Qualifications:

• Degree Qualified in a relevant subject, e.g., Aeronautics, Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Completed design organisation approval training.

Desirable

• Membership of a Professional body and being a Chartered engineer.

Responsibilities

Liaise with relevant Heads of Engineering to ensure:

• Professional development of aircraft design engineers (including support to appraisals and goal flow-down).
• Adherence to, and development of, best practice design process and tools.
• Aircraft design excellence based on a strong process culture and skills development.
• Interface with other members of the Engineering and Quality Management Team to establish Engineering as a highly professional and respected part of RUK.

To deputise for the Head of Design (Aircraft), under RUK's CAA & MAA Design Approvals, in relation to:

• Maintaining a documented design management system.
• Technical definition of aircraft type certificate changes and repairs.
• Ensuring design work is undertaken in accordance with the design management system, design approvals and other relevant regulations.
• Ensuring that compliance is demonstrated and verified against the appropriate type certification basis, the applicable operational suitability data certification basis and the environmental protection requirements.
• Supporting an engaged safety culture through safety management system adoption, investigate audit and occurrence findings and manage design organisation risks.
• Signing a declaration of compliance for type certificate changes or repairs after satisfactory verification of compliance and confirmation of adherence with design procedures.
• Management and approval of design subcontractors.
• Supervise the Coordinating Design Organisation role for air systems, including interface with the aircraft, engine, and propeller Type Certificate Holders, and for other applied third part design changes.
• Approving the flight conditions and permit to fly on behalf of design for CAA 21.J Permit to Fly or DAOS Military Permit to Fly.

Benefits and Work Culture

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• 25 days holiday + statutory public holidays, plus opportunity to buy and sell up to 5 days (37hr).
• Contributory Pension Scheme (up to 10.5% company contribution).
• Company bonus scheme (discretionary).
• 6 times salary 'Life Assurance' with pension.
• Flexible Benefits scheme with extensive salary sacrifice schemes, including Health Cashplan, Dental, and Cycle to Work amongst others.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Enhanced family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity & shared parental leave.
• Car / Car allowance (dependant on grade/ role).
• Private Medical Insurance (dependant on grade).

Work Culture

• 37hr working week, although hours may vary depending on role, job requirement or site-specific arrangements.
• Early 1.30pm finish Friday, start your weekend early!
• Remote, hybrid and site based working opportunities, dependant on your needs and the requirements of the role.
• A grownup flexible working culture that is output, not time spent at desk, focussed. More formal flexible working arrangements can also be requested and assessed subject to the role. Please enquire or highlight any request to our Talent Acquisition team to explore the flexible working possibilities.
• Up to 5 paid days volunteering each year.

RTX
Raytheon UK is a landed company and part of the wider RTX organisation. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, but with over 180,000 employees globally across every continent, RTX provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide and comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon.

Supporting over 35,000 jobs across 13 UK sites, RTX is helping to drive prosperity. Each year our work contributes over £2.7bn to the UK economy and offers a wealth of opportunities to 4,000 suppliers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We're investing in all corners of the country, supporting 29,040 jobs in England, 3,040 in Northern Ireland.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.