Technical Lead

Matchtech; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Technical Lead for a large-scale Royal Navy simulation and training programme. Bristol location with hybrid working and travel to Portsmouth/Collingwood as required.

You will act as the technical authority, directing engineering across systems, software, integration, test and hardware to ensure delivery against customer requirements and milestones. The role requires a strong systems engineering background, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and a track record in

Qualifications

• Strong background in Systems Engineering.
• Proven experience delivering complex multidisciplinary engineering programmes or systems.
• Experience leading and mentoring technical teams within an engineering environment.
• Solid understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle (requirements, design, integration, test, acceptance).
• Experience making technical decisions and providing strategic technical direction.
• Ability to manage programme risk, dependencies, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience working with customers and presenting technical solutions at senior levels.
• Experience in defence, maritime, naval, aerospace or other regulated sectors.
• Exposure to customer acceptance activities and complex integration programmes.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical solution and drive delivery across a major simulation and training programme.
• Provide technical leadership and act as the focal point for key technical decisions.
• Act as the technical authority ensuring solutions meet requirements and standards.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor technical activities through the full lifecycle.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across systems, software, integration, test and hardware.
• Support customer reviews, demonstrations, and acceptance activities.
• Review and approve technical solutions ensuring consistency and excellence.
• Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies.
• Serve as primary technical interface for customers, stakeholders and subcontractors.
• Support bid activities, change requests, estimates, schedules and resource planning.
• Oversee system integration and testing to ensure readiness.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Team Leadership

Risk Management

Stakeholder Management

Technical Decision Making

Customer Engagement

Defence Sector Experience

Job description

Technical Lead – Defence Complex Simulation & Training Systems

Location Bristol - Hybrid Working

Travel to Portsmouth/Collingwood as required

Eligible for SC Cleared UK Eyes Only Programme

Are you an experienced Technical Lead with a strong systems engineering background and a track record of delivering complex engineering programmes?

We are seeking a Technical Lead to take ownership of the technical delivery of a large-scale Royal Navy simulation and training programme. This is a pivotal leadership position, providing technical direction across a multidisciplinary engineering team and ensuring complex systems are delivered to the highest standards.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and can provide clear leadership while navigating evolving requirements and programme complexity.

The Opportunity

As the Technical Lead, you will act as the technical authority across the programme, ensuring engineering activities remain aligned with customer requirements, technical standards, delivery objectives, and project milestones.

You’ll work closely with engineering teams, project leadership, customers, and external partners to drive successful delivery from concept through integration, testing, and customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the technical solution and drive technical delivery across a major simulation and training programme.
• Provide technical leadership and act as the focal point for key technical decisions.
• Serve as the technical authority, ensuring solutions meet agreed requirements, quality standards, and operational objectives.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor technical activities throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across systems, software, integration, test, and hardware disciplines.
• Support customer reviews, demonstrations, and acceptance activities.
• Review and approve technical solutions, ensuring consistency and engineering excellence.
• Identify technical risks early and develop effective mitigation strategies.
• Act as the primary technical interface for customers, stakeholders, and subcontractors.
• Support bid activities, change requests, technical estimates, schedules, and resource planning.
• Oversee system integration and testing activities to ensure technical readiness and successful delivery.

What We're Looking For

• Strong background in Systems Engineering.
• Proven experience delivering complex multidisciplinary engineering programmes or systems.
• Experience leading and mentoring technical teams within an engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements, design, integration, test, and acceptance.
• Experience making technical decisions and providing strategic technical direction.
• Ability to manage programme risk, technical dependencies, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience working closely with customers and presenting technical solutions at senior levels.
• Simulation, training systems, or synthetic environment experience.
• Defence, maritime, naval, aerospace, or other highly regulated engineering sectors.
• Exposure to customer acceptance activities and complex integration programmes.
• Hybrid working model with regular on-site presence in Bristol.
• Travel to other programme locations, including Portsmouth/Collingwood, will be required.
• Opportunity to shape, develop, and grow an engineering team.
• Candidates must be sole British nationals and eligible to work on UK Eyes Only programmes, with the ability to obtain security clearance.

If you're looking for an opportunity to lead the technical delivery of complex simulation and training solutions while making a real impact on a major defence programme, we'd love to hear from you.