Head of Engineering (Hardware / Mechanical)

BAE Systems - Saudi Arabia for expatriates; Rochester; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm is seeking a Head of Engineering (Hardware/Mechanical) in Rochester. You will provide strategic oversight for a large team, manage engineering functions, and ensure project delivery. Candidates should possess significant leadership experience, particularly in Engineering, and hold an Engineering or STEM degree. The role offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the opportunity to lead a transformative engineering team.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Discounted lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Experience managing an Engineering functional department or large programme.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders.
• At least 5 years of experience in related fields.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for Hardware and Mechanical Engineering.
• Lead an engineering team of over 250 engineers.
• Develop industry-leading functional processes and policies.

Skills

Experience in a leadership role within Engineering

Proven experience in Electronic Hardware, Firmware, Mechanical Design

Demonstrated stakeholder management

Engineering or STEM degree

Education

Engineering or STEM degree (or equivalent qualification)

Job description

Job Title: Head of Engineering (Hardware/Mechanical)

Location: Rochester

Salary: £100,000+ per annum dependent on skills and experience, plus car allowance and annual bonus

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing strategic direction for the Hardware and Mechanical Engineering functions
• Operating as part of an engineering leadership team for over 250 engineers
• Providing world class people development processes and retention strategies
• Ensuring the functions can grow to meet the business forecasts
• Providing long term strategic improvement plans for the function
• Providing, developing and maintaining industry leading functional processes, policies, procedures, Knowledge and best practice guides
• Collaborating within BAE Systems and promoting our capability through external engagements
• Driving effective tailoring of processes for project application
• Determining, negotiating and managing functional overhead budgets
• Resourcing projects appropriately, making priority calls where necessary

Your skills and experiences:

• Experience of a leadership role within Engineering / Relevant experience within Electronic Hardware, Firmware, Mechanical Design & Analysis and Qualification and at least one with a strong depth of experience
• Proven experience of managing an Engineering functional department or product delivery programme on a large scale
• Demonstrated active stakeholder management, proven ability to influence and negotiate
• Engineering or STEM degree held (or equivalent qualification)

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Engineering team:

This leadership role is responsible for delivering world‑class Electronics and Avionics Systems products to military and commercial customers. Our product families include Head Up Displays, Mission Computers, Head Worn Displays, Active Inceptors, Flight Control, Maritime Controls, and Aftermarket Support.

You will lead a multi‑discipline department of over 250 Engineers, including Electronic Hardware, Firmware, Mechanical Design & Analysis and Qualification. This is part of an 800‑strong growing engineering department.

You will lead a talented team through a transformatory period, embedding model‑based engineering and future‑ready capability into how we work. You’ll play a pivotal role in developing world‑class products which are safe and reliable while promoting an inclusive, collaborative culture where every engineer can thrive.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 27th November 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.