Technical Authority, Telecoms

Cambridge Consultants; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge Consultants is seeking an experienced Technical Authority to provide senior technical leadership on large, multi-disciplinary Communications engineering programmes in Cambridge. This client-facing role shapes products from concept through delivery.

You will lead teams of 15+ engineers, manage technical risk, and engage with senior stakeholders, including executives, to deliver technically challenging, commercially significant projects.

Qualifications

• Strong technical foundation in engineering or science with telecoms/communications experience.
• 10+ years leading complex multi-disciplinary new product or service developments.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and manage technical risk.
• Excellent communication skills for senior client stakeholders and executives.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end technical solutions from concept to delivery.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams of engineers with high client engagement.
• Manage technical risk and select suitable development approaches.
• Engage with Project Managers to deliver value within budget.
• Provide clear technical direction and mentor engineers.

Skills

Technical leadership

Telecoms/Communications

New product development

Risk management

Contractual delivery

Executive communication

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:

• 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.