Head of Engineering

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, the successful candidate must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC) and be willing to undergo the necessary security vetting process. Please refer to our security clearance guide.

About Us

At Steatite, we design, manufacture, and supply advanced technology solutions - from industrial embedded computing and custom lithium battery packs to secure communications, antennas, and imaging systems.

Our innovations operate in some of the world's most demanding environments. From the ocean floor to the edge of space, Steatite technology ensures critical systems perform reliably, consistently, and safely - 24/7. Whether enabling scientific discovery in extreme conditions, transmitting high-bandwidth data across challenging terrain, processing vast volumes of traffic data, or supporting secure transactions on the move, our solutions are built to perform when it matters most.

From day one, you will be part of an organisation that prioritises your safety and wellbeing, values your contribution, and is committed to making your career both rewarding and impactful.

Shape the Future of Engineering at Steatite Antennas. Lead exceptional engineering talent. Drive technical excellence. Shape the future of advanced engineering solutions.

At Steatite Antennas, we are entering an exciting phase of development, building on our established expertise in high-performance RF antennas to deliver increasingly sophisticated, integrated engineering solutions for demanding defence, civil and test applications.

As part of Solid State Group, we combine specialist RF and mechanical engineering expertise with in-house manufacturing and testing capabilities, delivering innovative solutions for land, naval and airborne environments. We are now creating a pivotal new position within our senior leadership team: Head of Engineering. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished engineering leader to take ownership of our engineering function, develop talented technical specialists and shape the processes, capabilities and culture that will support our future growth.

Reporting directly to the General Manager and joining the Business Unit Senior Leadership Team, you will have genuine influence over engineering strategy, investment priorities, operational performance and the development of our people. We are looking for an accomplished engineering leader who combines strong technical credibility with the vision, experience and leadership capability to inspire talented engineering teams, drive technical excellence and shape the future of our engineering function.

This is a full-time, predominantly site-based position at our Leominster facility, providing the opportunity to work closely with our engineering teams and wider business functions, with UK and international travel as required.

The Opportunity

You will lead a multidisciplinary engineering function spanning RF, mechanical engineering, test and verification, working closely with our Chief RF Engineer, Chief Mechanical Engineer and Test, Measurement and Verification Lead. Your focus will be on creating an environment where engineering excellence translates into consistent, high quality delivery, ensuring our teams have the leadership, resources and processes needed to succeed.

You will strengthen engineering capability, champion effective ways of working and ensure that complex customer programmes are supported by clear priorities, robust technical governance and strong cross-functional collaboration. Equally importantly, you will help shape our journey from delivering individual antenna products towards increasingly integrated subsystems and systems, ensuring our engineering capabilities continue to evolve alongside customer requirements and business ambitions.

What You Will Be Responsible For

Leading & developing exceptional engineering teams

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across RF, mechanical engineering, test and verification.
• Coach, mentor and develop senior engineering leaders, building capability, accountability and succession across the function.
• Create a collaborative, high-performing engineering environment where technical expertise is valued and individuals are empowered to deliver.
• Strengthen engineering workforce planning, professional development and the recruitment and retention of critical technical capability.

Driving engineering performance & delivery

• Oversee multiple complex engineering programmes, ensuring effective management of resources, technical risks, quality, cost and delivery commitments.
• Establish clear engineering priorities, capacity plans and performance measures aligned with business and customer objectives.
• Work closely with Project Management and other business functions to resolve challenges, manage competing priorities and improve delivery predictability.
• Provide decisive leadership and direction when programmes face technical or operational challenges.

Strengthening engineering excellence & governance

• Develop and embed effective engineering processes covering requirements management, design reviews, verification, validation, configuration control and technical assurance.
• Ensure engineering solutions are robust, manufacturable, testable and suitable for demanding customer environments.
• Champion engineering quality, continuous improvement and effective collaboration between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Product teams.
• Support compliance with established quality standards and the continued development of engineering assurance practices.

Shaping future engineering capability

• Support the development of integrated systems engineering capability, building on our established RF and mechanical expertise.
• Influence engineering strategy, investment priorities, technical capability and long-term resource planning.
• Contribute to product development, innovation and the evolution of engineering tools, systems and processes.
• Represent engineering at senior leadership level and in selected customer, supplier and partner discussions, ensuring technical considerations are reflected in commercial and strategic decisions.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and credible engineering leader who combines technical expertise with outstanding people leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to deliver results in complex, demanding environments. You will be someone who thrives on developing others, establishing clarity and creating the conditions for engineering teams to perform at their best.

Essential Experience & Capabilities

• Significant senior engineering management experience, including responsibility for multidisciplinary engineering teams and the development of senior or principal engineers.
• A proven track record of leading complex engineering projects or programmes, balancing demanding customer requirements, technical challenges and commercial priorities.
• Experience developing engineering leaders, strengthening team capability and improving organisational performance.
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, design assurance, requirements management, configuration control, risk management and change control.
• Experience across the engineering lifecycle, from initial requirements and concept development through design, verification, qualification, production transfer and lifecycle support.
• Experience working within a design-to-manufacture environment, collaborating effectively with Manufacturing, Quality, Projects and Supply Chain functions.
• The ability to make sound decisions under pressure, manage competing priorities and balance technical integrity with commercial and delivery commitments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage with experienced specialists, senior leaders and customers.
• An engineering or closely related physical science degree, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• A commitment to continued professional development.

Experience that would be particularly valuable

• Engineering leadership within defence, aerospace, avionics, high-reliability electronics, radar, communications, sensors or similarly demanding technology sectors.
• Knowledge of RF, microwave, antenna, mechanical, electromechanical or integrated systems engineering.
• Experience in low-volume, high-complexity or engineered-to-order manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing systems engineering capabilities or transitioning from component-based products towards integrated solutions.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, AS9100 or comparable quality and engineering assurance standards.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional recognition.
• Experience working with international defence customers or complex technical supply chains.
• Familiarity with engineering lifecycle systems, project planning tools and Microsoft-based business systems.

While experience within RF and antenna technologies would be advantageous, we also welcome accomplished engineering leaders from defence, aerospace, advanced electronics and other complex, high-reliability engineering environments.

This is more than an opportunity to manage an established engineering function. It is a chance to shape how engineering operates, develop future leaders and build the capabilities that will support our long-term success.
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