Head of Platform Engineering

Turion Space; Irvine; On-site; GBP 138,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defense firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Head of Platform Engineering to lead and mentor a team of engineers. This role entails driving the platform strategy, ensuring compliance with DoD standards, and maintaining deep technical expertise. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and hands-on experience with cloud-native architecture. The position offers a competitive salary between $190,000 and $270,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package, including equity, health insurance, and retirement plans.

Benefits

Equity

Health Insurance

Retirement Plans

Paid Time Off

Professional Development

Team Building Activities

Qualifications

• 5-7 years in platform engineering and 3-4+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing technical teams and delivering large-scale platforms.
• Hands-on expertise with cloud-native architecture and security frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of platform engineers.
• Establish performance goals and foster a culture of innovation.
• Define and execute the platform roadmap aligned with company objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud-native architecture

Security frameworks

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Zero-trust architecture

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

CI/CD pipelines

Identity and access management

Observability and monitoring systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced leader to be our Head of Platform Engineering to lead the design, development, and evolution of our mission-critical platform infrastructure. This role is pivotal in ensuring secure, scalable, and resilient systems that power next-generation aerospace and defense programs. You will manage a high-performing team, drive platform strategy, and maintain hands-on technical expertise across all components.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of platform engineers.

• Establish performance goals, conduct reviews, and foster a culture of innovation and accountability.

• Define and execute the platform roadmap aligned with company objectives and DoD compliance requirements. Assist in scaling the Platform Department with respect to roadmap and objectives.

• Drive adoption of modern technologies and best practices for scalability, reliability, and security.

• Partner with CIO, Ground Software, Flight Software, Information Security, and IT to ensure seamless integration of platform capabilities.

• Communicate platform vision and progress to executive leadership and stakeholders.

• Maintain deep technical knowledge of platform components including:

  • Cloud and on-prem infrastructure

  • Container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker)

  • CI/CD pipelines

  • Identity and access management

  • Observability and monitoring systems

• Ensure platform capabilities are compliant with DoD cybersecurity standards (e.g., NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, CMMC)

• Oversee audits and certifications required for defense programs.

Basic Qualifications

• 5-7 years in platform engineering and 3-4+ years in leadership roles.

• Proven experience managing technical teams and delivering large-scale platforms.

• Hands-on expertise with cloud-native architecture and security frameworks.

• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to balance strategic vision with tactical execution.

• Familiarity with zero-trust architecture and advanced security models.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active DoD clearance or ability to obtain one.

• Strong knowledge of DoD compliance requirements.

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated industries.

Head of Platform Engineering Salary: $190,000-$270,000

ITAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.