Lead Engineer

General Dynamics Missions System International; Wales; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Lead Engineer responsible for technical leadership of the engineering team, ensuring delivery of engineering work packages. This role includes managing technical decisions, overseeing project goals, and working collaboratively across cross-functional disciplines. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in complex engineering projects, along with a STEM degree. Salary range is £63,072 to £85,000, along with flexible benefits and a hybrid working setup.

Benefits

Compressed nine-day fortnight

Personalised career development plan

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a technical manager on complex integration projects.
• Demonstrated capability in managing technical delivery across multiple large-scale programmes.
• Deep technical understanding of engineering principles and life-cycle management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the engineering team making technical decisions.
• Own and manage engineering work packages including tracking progress.
• Ensure all entry and exit criteria for engineering phases are met.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Systems engineering

Communication and collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Job description

The Lead Engineer is responsible for the day-to-day technical leadership of the engineering team ensuring delivery of engineering work packages in alignment with strategic objectives, cost constraints, schedule commitments and performance requirements. This role acts as a key technical authority within the project bridging engineering execution with strategic oversight.

The Lead Engineer will work alongside the Programme Manager who will have overall programmatic schedule and cost management responsibilities for the Project, and will be the technical customer facing for the programme and will ensure that the scope of the programme is maintained and delivered through all phases of the engineering activities.

• Lead and manage the engineering team making technical decisions within the bounds of strategy, cost, time and performance.
• Provide technical oversight and coordination across cross-functional engineering disciplines.
• Own and manage engineering work packages including tracking progress, resolving dependencies and ensuring integration across packages.
• Report and manage engineering risks in accordance with the projects Risk Management Plan.
• Prepare and deliver data packs for engineering phase reviews.
• Ensure all entry and exit criteria for engineering phases are met with appropriate content and quality.
• Liaise with the customer technical community to ensure alignment and responsiveness to technical queries.
• Collaborate with the project management community to ensure engineering delivery supports overall project goals.
• Address supplier-related technical issues as they arise ensuring timely resolution.
• Provide cover and continuity for both the Chief Engineer and Product Lead as required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a technical manager on complex integration projects with a proven track record of leading cross-functional engineering teams.
• Demonstrated capability in managing technical delivery across multiple large-scale integration programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills including customer and supplier engagement.
• Expertise in systems engineering including requirements management, system architecture, integration, verification and validation.
• Proficiency in risk management, problem-solving and technical issue resolution.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across programmes.
• Deep technical understanding of engineering principles, life‑cycle management and compliance with company and customer processes.
• Typically STEM degree qualified.

Required Experience

• Extensive experience in technical leadership roles.
• Track record of successful delivery in complex engineering projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate cross‑functional teams.

Salary for this position is £63,072 to £85,000 depending on experience, plus our excellent flexible benefits package.

We offer hybrid working – ideally 2 days per week per month on site.

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose, offering impressive benefits:

• A compressed nine‑day fortnight and compressed hours – meaning every other Friday off.
• A personalised career development plan alongside regular progress reviews – supporting and valuing your progression within the Company.
• A flexible working environment where your contributions are recognised and rewarded with flexible benefits.

Additional Information

• We believe in maintaining a diverse workplace – inclusive of beliefs, cultural background, job experiences, thoughts and ideas. If who we are and what we do resonates with you we welcome you to join our inclusive team!
• We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please email if you would like your application to be considered under the DC Scheme.
• All successful/appointed applicants must be able to obtain a level of UK Security clearance that is appropriate for the role and undertake suitable Right to work checks.
• Every application matters to us. We want you to know that each application we receive is reviewed by a real person, not just an algorithm. Our screening questions are also carefully considered to help us understand your experience and fit for the role.
• We appreciate the time you take to apply.

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full‑time

Key Skills

Administrative Skills, Facilities Management, Biotechnology, Creative Production, Design And Estimation, Architecture

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1