Project Engineering Lead

This role is pivotal in leading the design, development, and delivery of high-reliability electronic systems for aerospace and aviation applications. You will combine strong technical expertise in electronics with leadership responsibility, guiding a team of RF and electronic engineers while ensuring robust, innovative, and manufacturable solutions are delivered across the full product lifecycle Main Responsibilities: Lead the design and development of electronic hardware, covering digital, analogue, and mixed-signal systems. Define system and hardware architectures in accordance with relevant aviation standards and regulatory requirements, including DO-254. Manage the complete hardware development lifecycle, from requirements definition and design through verification, validation, and certification support. Ensure hardware designs satisfy requirements for performance, safety, reliability, manufacturability, and environmental compliance. Provide technical leadership and engineering authority across projects, contributing to formal design reviews and technical governance activities, including PDR, CDR, and TRR. Lead engineering project delivery, including planning, resource management, risk mitigation, and delivery against agreed schedules. Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across systems, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, and related engineering functions. Support new product introduction activities, helping ensure an effective transition from engineering design into production. Lead and manage engineers and technicians, providing technical guidance, coaching, mentoring, and performance management. Support business development activities, including bids and proposals, technical solution development, cost estimation, and risk assessment. Build and maintain effective technical relationships with customers and external partners, ensuring requirements and expectations are clearly understood. Promote continuous improvement across engineering processes, design methodologies, tools, and working practices. Person Specification: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline. Strong experience in electronic hardware design (analogue, digital, or mixed-signal). Proven experience delivering engineering projects in aerospace, aviation, defence, or other safety-critical industries. Demonstrable experience working to DO 254 standards, including hardware lifecycle and certification processes. Experience managing or leading engineering projects and/or technical teams. Familiarity with structured product development lifecycles and gated review processes. Experience working with regulated quality systems (e.g. AS9100, ISO9001). Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills Effective cross-functional collaboration Team leadership, coaching, and development Ownership of technical and project delivery Driving a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement Must be eligible for security clearance. Working Hours and Benefits: 37.5 hours per week Mon-Thurs, 08:00-16:30, Fri 08:00-13:30 Flexible working practices – we work a 9-day fortnight, offer flexitime, and work a half day Friday 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) with the option to buy up to 5 additional days Health cash plan – cash back for everyday health expenses Additional benefits including access to 24/7 remote GP services, physiotherapy consultations and gym discounts Pension scheme with 6% employer contributions Life assurance – 4 x annual salary Reward and recognition platform Discount platform – retail, leisure, gym discounts and more Employee assistance programme with access to confidential counselling services Support for further training and education Relocation assistance up to £8,000 if you relocate to take up a position