Head of Engineering/Technical Director (Electronics)

Coda Octopus Martech Limited; Dorchester; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Coda Octopus Martech Limited seeks an exceptional Engineering Leader/Director to spearhead design, development and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-mechanical systems for regulated industries.

This leadership role combines deep technical expertise with customer engagement, innovation and strong commercial acumen to deliver complex projects from concept through to manufacture and acceptance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams across electronics, software, and mechanical domains.
• Proven track record delivering complex electronic/electro-mechanical systems in regulated sectors.
• Security clearance or eligibility for UK security clearance required.
• 15+ years in electronic design with experience in safety-critical systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for multidisciplinary engineering teams (electronics, software, systems, mechanical, test).
• Lead the design, development and manufacture of complex electronic products, systems and test solutions.
• Engage directly with customers to understand technical requirements and objectives.
• Translate customer needs into innovative, commercially viable technical solutions.
• Develop proposals, statements of work, cost estimates and project plans.
• Support business development including customer presentations, bid reviews and workshops.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to high quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and best engineering practices.
• Oversee governance, risk management, compliance and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing/operations for efficient industrialisation.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Security clearance

Defence/aerospace experience

Electronics design

Systems engineering

Customer engagement

Project leadership

Mentoring

Bids & proposals

Education

Electronics/Electrical/Systems Engineering degree

Tools

NPI processes

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional Engineering Leader/Director to spearhead the design, development and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-mechanical systems, products and test solutions for a portfolio of high-profile customers operating within the defence, aerospace, medical and other highly regulated industries.

This is a pivotal leadership role requiring a technically gifted individual who combines deep electronic engineering expertise with innovation and creativity, alongside outstanding commercial awareness, customer engagement skills and the ability to inspire and develop high-performing engineering teams.

The successful candidate will play a key role in leading the technical strategy, driving innovation and ensuring the successful delivery of complex projects from concept through to manufacture and customer acceptance. This is also a hands-on role and demands that the candidate have current experience in developing electronic, electromechanical and software systems

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for multidisciplinary engineering teams, including electronics, software, systems, mechanical and test engineering.
• Lead the design, development and manufacture of complex electronic products, systems and test solutions.
• Engage directly with customers to understand technical requirements, operational challenges and business objectives.
• Translate customer needs into innovative, practical and commercially viable technical solutions.
• Develop compelling technical proposals, statements of work, cost estimates and project plans.
• Support business development activities, including customer presentations, bid reviews and technical workshops.
• Ensure engineering projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and adoption of best engineering practices across the organisation.
• Oversee engineering governance, risk management, compliance and quality assurance activities.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure efficient product industrialisation and production.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, partners and industry stakeholders.
• Mentor, develop and inspire engineering leaders and technical specialists.

Qualifications

You will be a highly accomplished engineering leader with a passion for solving complex technical challenges and delivering innovative solutions for demanding applications.

• Degree qualified (or similar) in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline. NB we will take experience and demonstrable track record over formal qualifications.
• Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role, such as Engineering Director, Head of Engineering, Chief Engineer or Engineering Manager.
• Strong background in the design and manufacture of electronic and electro-mechanical systems, products and test solutions.
• Demonstrable experience working within defence, aerospace, medical or similarly regulated technology sectors.
• Outstanding customer-facing skills with the ability to build credibility with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Proven ability to interpret customer requirements and develop innovative technical proposals and solutions.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience supporting bids, quotations and business development activities.
• Excellent leadership, coaching and team development capabilities.
• Strong systems-thinking approach with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing multiple complex projects and engineering teams simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Security clearance or eligibility to obtain UK security clearance (must be a UK national/British citizen, preferably not dual nationality).
• 15+ years’ experience in electronic design.
• Experience with safety-critical and mission-critical systems.
• Knowledge of standards and regulatory frameworks relevant to defence, and aerospace sectors.
• Experience in product lifecycle management and new product introduction (NPI).
• Meets requirements for UK MoD security clearance. Due to the nature of this role you will need as a minimum to be British Citizen.