Technical Authority, Telecoms

Cambridge Consultants; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Consultants is seeking an experienced Technical Authority to provide senior technical leadership on large, multi-disciplinary Communications engineering programmes. This client-facing role suits a proven technical leader who guides concepts through delivery in challenging environments.

You will own end-to-end technical solutions, manage risk, tailor development approaches, and work closely with project managers.

Qualifications

• Strong technical foundation in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline with credible Telecoms/Communications experience.
• Proven track record in leading complex, multi-disciplinary new product or service developments across the full lifecycle.
• Deep understanding of product development lifecycles and development methodologies.
• Demonstrable ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage technical risk.
• Experience working in a contractual delivery environment or similar commercial setting.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly.
• Comfortable and confident engaging with senior client stakeholders, including C-suite executives.

Responsibilities

• Owning technical solutions end-to-end, from early concept and architecture through to production and client acceptance.
• Managing technical risk, making decisions under pressure, and keeping projects on track.
• Selecting and tailoring development approaches to suit project objectives, risk profiles, and delivery constraints.
• Working with Project and Programme Managers to deliver value within budget and timelines.
• Owning the technical elements of contractual Statements of Work, ensuring commitments are fulfilled.
• Building strong client relationships as a trusted technical lead and communicating progress and risks to stakeholders.
• Supporting pre-contract and sales activities with techno-commercial insight.
• Leading, mentoring, and inspiring high-calibre engineers and technical leaders, building high performing teams.
• Providing clear technical direction and prioritising objectives while enabling autonomy and innovation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Telecoms/Communications

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Contractual delivery

Communication skills

Leadership & mentoring

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Technical Authority (TA) to provide senior technical leadership on large, multi‑disciplinary Communications engineering programmes. This is a highly visible, client‑facing role, suited to an accomplished technical leader who enjoys shaping innovative products and services from concept through to delivery.

Our projects are complex, technically challenging and commercially significant. You will lead and inspire expert engineering teams, work closely with programme managers and act as a trusted technical partner to clients.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be working on high-impact, high‑value programmes (typically £10M+), leading multi‑disciplinary teams of 15+ engineers and specialists with significant levels of client engagement and technical innovation. In more detail this breaks down to:

Technical Leadership

• Owning technical solutions end‑to‑end, from early concept and architecture through to production and client acceptance.
• Applying your experience and sound engineering judgement to manage technical risk, make decisions under pressure, and keep projects on track.
• Selecting and tailoring the appropriate development approaches to suit project objectives, risk profiles, and delivery constraints.

Project & Commercial Delivery

• Working in close partnership with Project and Programme Managers to deliver value for our clients, within budget and when they need it.
• Owning the technical elements of contractual Statements of Work, ensuring commitments are clearly understood and fulfilled.

Client Engagement & Development

• Working as a trusted client‑facing technical lead, building trust and long‑term relationships.
• Communicating progress, risks, and complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Supporting pre‑contract and sales activities, providing techno‑commercial insight in a consultative role.

Team Leadership

• Leading, mentoring, and inspiring high‑calibre engineers and technical leaders, earning trust through expertise and integrity.
• Building high performing teams, structured to effectively deliver projects against demanding timescales.
• Providing clear technical direction and communication of project objectives and priorities, while enabling autonomy, innovation, and exploration of complex technical solutions.

Aspiring candidates will bring the following:

Essential

• Strong technical foundation in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline with credible experience in Telecoms/Communications.
• A proven track record in leading complex, multi‑disciplinary new product or service developments (10+ years is typical for this level, though not essential), over the full project lifecycle from concept through to delivery.
• Deep understanding of new product development lifecycles and development methodologies.
• Demonstrable ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage technical risk.
• Experience working in a contractual delivery environment or similar commercial setting.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly.
• Comfortable and confident engaging with senior client stakeholders, including C‑suite executives.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to or leading pre‑sales and proposal activities.
• International project experience and cultural awareness in a business context.
• A background delivering highly innovative or “first‑of‑a‑kind” solutions.

Why join us?

Put simply, you will lead technically challenging programmes with genuine commercial and societal impact. Cambridge Consultants work with exciting clients across a broad range of technologies and sectors, from blue chips to start‑ups. Some are looking to optimise their existing technologies, while others come with a vision to develop something entirely new and unexpected.

Examples of projects we have worked on in the recent past are:

The world’s largest airborne phased‑array antenna system

High‑bandwidth internet connectivity for US business air‑travel

Transparent antennas for 5G radio systems

Location: Cambridge, with domestic and international travel

By submitting an application to Cambridge Consultants, you confirm that the information provided in this application, together with any supporting documentation, is true, complete, and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief. You understand that any false statement, misleading information, or material omission may render you liable to disqualification from the recruitment process, withdrawal of any offer of employment, or dismissal without notice if discovered following appointment. You acknowledge that the organisation reserves the right to verify the information supplied.