Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager – UAV / Robotics

Location: Near Berkshire
Salary: £70,000–£85,000 depending on experience
Working pattern: Full-time, predominantly on-site
Clearance: Candidates must be eligible for UK SC clearance
DV clearance is highly desirable

Summary

Venn Group is working exclusively with a defence company to recruit an Engineering Manager. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead the mechanical and electrical/electronic engineering function. You will be responsible for programme delivery, engineering resources, development processes, suppliers, system builds and test campaigns.

This position offers a defined progression route towards Head of Engineering and delegated design authority as the company grows.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and deliver engineering activity across multiple concurrent programmes

• Manage engineering schedules, priorities, resources and technical risks

• Lead and develop the mechanical and electrical/electronic engineering team

• Chair design reviews, gate meetings and build-coordination activities

• Present technical evidence and decision packages to the design authority

• Manage configuration baselines and engineering change control

• Oversee environmental, vibration, integration and flight-test campaigns

• Manage specialist suppliers and subcontract manufacturers

• Lead the transition from prototypes into low-rate production

• Coordinate with software, autonomy, operations, quality and production teams

• Support customer reporting, acceptance and programme reviews

• Remain involved in technical integration and troubleshooting

Essential experience

• Degree in engineering or equivalent professional experience

• At least eight years’ engineering experience, including three or more within UAVs, robotics, avionics or another hardware-intensive sector

• Delivery of complex electromechanical products from concept to operational hardware

• Line-management experience or clear readiness to lead an engineering team

• Technical understanding across mechanical and electrical/electronic engineering

• Working knowledge of software, systems and hardware interfaces

• Experience managing several programmes concurrently

• Experience operating within a formal design-authority structure

• Background within an scale-up environment

• Eligibility to obtain UK SC clearance; some programmes may require sole UK nationality

Desirable experience

• UAV, UAS or UGV engineering

• Flight testing or operational trials

• CAA or military airworthiness frameworks

• Configuration and change control

• Environmental and vibration testing

• Composites, machining or PCBA suppliers

• Low-rate production and design for manufacture

• Counter-UAS, RF systems or datalinks

• Current or previously held SC or DV clearance

Package

• £70,000–£85,000 depending on experience

• Potential share options

• 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

• Employer pension contribution

• Clear Progression towards the Head of Engineering role

• Occasional home working where project activity permits

This opportunity would suit an Engineering Manager, Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer or Principal Engineer who combines leadership with practical experience delivering complex aerospace, robotics or electromechanical hardware.

Apply with an up-to-date CV for a confidential discussion.