Technical Director (Systems Integration)

AtkinsRéalis UK Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis UK Limited seeks a Technical Director to lead systems engineering strategy and delivery across highways, railways, airports and broader transportation programmes. This senior role combines engineering management with strong systems thinking to ensure cohesive delivery and safety assurance across complex projects.

You will champion practical integration of engineering disciplines, governance, and continuous improvement while growing the workbank and managing client relations at

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience on large, complex programmes.
• Background in systems engineering, integration and assurance.
• Experience in regulated, safety‑critical environments such as rail or nuclear.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver programme-wide system engineering and integration approaches.
• Lead practical application of systems engineering to improve delivery outcomes.
• Governance, compliance and driving engineering maturity across teams.
• Develop people, mentor engineers and grow capability within the practice.
• Represent AtkinsRéalis in technical discussions with clients, regulators and partners.

Skills

Systems engineering

Systems integration

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Chartered Engineer

Job description

Job Description Overview AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Technical Director to lead systems engineering strategy and delivery across highways, railways, airports, and wider transportation projects and programmes. This is a senior leadership role within our Engineering Systems Practice, driving technical excellence and innovation across complex, multi‑disciplinary projects. The appointment is for a Technical Director who combines Engineering Management experience with strong systems thinking and systems engineering capability. As part of our growth, we need practical ways of integrating Systems Engineering, Systems Integration and Safety Assurance with our engineering delivery so that they work in harmony on projects and programmes. We are looking for someone to lead this development, refine our technical delivery and grow a workbank. The role focuses on practical delivery leadership, integration and assurance, while leading change in how multidisciplinary engineering teams work together to deliver safer, more resilient and outcome‑focused solutions. As a senior leader in the team you will also be responsible for driving growth as part of our current growth plans. This is an opportunity to work with our Engineering Management Practice Director to shape our delivery of projects and programmes for the future.

Your role Lead Systems Engineering Strategy: Define and deliver programme‑wide system engineering and systems integration approaches, ensuring alignment with client objectives and AtkinsRéalis standards. Visible Leadership: Be widely visible across the AtkinsRéalis Complex Projects business and sectors; championing the right cultural values to enhance technical delivery through a highly competent and capable engineering workforce. Instilling the correct behaviours within the organisation to enable consistent delivery, which is technically robust, on time and profitable. Assured Delivery: Lead the practical application of systems engineering across teams, projects, and programmes, throughout the project lifecycle, to improve integration, assurance, decision‑making and delivery outcomes. Governance & Compliance: Ensure adherence to internal frameworks and external regulations, and shape Engineering Management ways of working, standards and governance frameworks. Collaborate & Inspire: Partner with Programme Engineering Directors, Project Directors and lead engineering managers, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Resource & Capability: Develop project engineers, engineering managers and supply chain partners to deliver excellence through the application of systems engineering, through mentoring, coaching and leadership. Stakeholder Engagement: Represent AtkinsRéalis in technical discussions with clients and partners, and with regulators and approval bodies. Win Work: Identify and deliver business growth opportunities through supporting bids and securing additional/repeat/follow‑on work from clients, ensuring systems thinking is embedded in technical strategies.

About you Chartered Engineer (or equivalent) within a relevant engineering discipline. Proven track record operating at senior Engineering Manager or Technical Director level on large, complex engineering programmes and/or product development projects. Strong background in systems engineering, systems integration and assurance, applied within a practical delivery and Engineering Management context. Experience working in regulated, safety‑critical environments such as rail, infrastructure, defence or nuclear sectors. Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to challenge, advise and build consensus at senior level. Strategic thinker with ability to drive transformational change and embrace digital innovation. A clear commitment to developing people, building capability and promoting technical excellence.

Rewards & benefits Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

• Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices.
• Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.
• And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Additional information Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world‑class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences. Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world‑class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end‑to‑end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at Atkinsrealis or follow us on LinkedIn.