Head of Vehicle Design - USV

Our client, a fast-growing global robotics and aerospace company, is driving the development of cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles (drones) across air, land, and sea for dual-use applications. They are committed to pushing technological boundaries and delivering exceptional products that consistently exceed customer expectations.

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Head of Vehicle Design to guide our design engineering team within our USV (Uncrewed Surface Vessel) production facility. This pivotal role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of mechanical, electrical, and software design engineers, ensuring the successful technical execution of our USV production efforts.

You will be the key technical lead and interface between our USV production and R&D design engineering team, ensuring seamless collaboration and knowledge transfer. Working closely with the Programme Manager, you will translate customer technical requirements into actionable engineering tasks, while also providing critical insights into technical feasibility and innovation opportunities. As a leader, you will drive decision-making for the design engineering team, ensuring technical excellence and efficient problem-solving.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles within a global aerospace and robotics company.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership: Set the technical vision for the UK engineering team, providing direction, mentorship, and oversight across all engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, software).

Design Authority: Own and approve all major design decisions, system architectures, and technical documentation, ensuring they meet internal standards and customer requirements.

System Architecture & Budget Ownership: Define and control the system architecture to balance capability, scalability, and cost. Align technical design choices with programme budgets, commercial constraints, and lifecycle cost targets.

Standards & Quality: Establish and enforce engineering standards, processes, and quality benchmarks to ensure consistency, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

Problem Solving: Lead the resolution of complex engineering challenges, de-risking the technical roadmap and unblocking delivery obstacles.

Team Development: Support recruitment, onboarding, and career development of engineers within the UK. Set clear goals, deliver performance feedback, and foster a culture of accountability and growth.

Innovation Culture: Promote continuous improvement, emerging technology adoption, and innovative thinking across the team.

Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the technical interface between engineering and internal/external stakeholders, including product managers, OEM partners, and customers.

Systems Integration Oversight: Guide best practices in UXV system integration, testing, and validation - from platform hardware through to AI-enabled autonomy and control systems.

Risk Management: Identify technical and programme-level risks early, developing and driving mitigation strategies.

Field & Product Performance: Monitor performance metrics from development through deployment, using trial feedback to inform iterative improvements.

Communication & Reporting: Provide clear, concise technical updates and programme status to senior leadership, partners, and customers.

Requirements Translation: Convert customer needs and business goals into actionable engineering plans and system specifications.

Job Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent.

Experience in design engineering, with significant experience in a leadership or technical lead role, preferably within a production or manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software).

Strong understanding of USV systems, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems.

Proven ability to translate customer requirements into technical specifications and lead design execution.

Exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong analytical mindset.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams across different geographical locations.

Familiarity with design tools and methodologies relevant to mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.

Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems is an advantage.

Willingness to undergo SC clearance as required.

Benefits:

Opportunity to lead and shape the design of cutting-edge uncrewed vehicles within a global aerospace and robotics company.

Work within a fast-paced, innovative, and collaborative environment.

Supportive leadership team and clear career development opportunities.

Comprehensive benefits package.

If you are an experienced and highly skilled professional ready to make a significant impact in the defence and security sector, we encourage you to apply now and join our client's dynamic team