Project Engineering Lead

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and driven Project Engineering Lead to join our Design Engineering team. 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

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of electronic hardware systems, including digital, analogue, and mixed-signal circuits.
• Define system and hardware architectures in line with aviation standards e.g. DO-254.
• Oversee the full hardware development lifecycle, including requirements capture, design, verification, validation, and certification support.
• Ensure designs meet requirements for performance, safety, reliability, manufacturability, and environmental compliance.
• Lead the engineering team across projects, supporting formal design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR, TRR).
• Lead engineering project delivery, including planning, resource allocation, risk management, and schedule adherence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems, mechanical, manufacturing and quality engineering.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) activities, ensuring smooth transition from design to production.
• Lead and line-manage a team of engineers and technicians, including coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Contribute to bids and proposals, including technical solutions, cost estimation, and risk analysis.
• Engage with customers and external partners to understand requirements and maintain strong technical relationships.
• Drive continuous improvement in design methodologies, engineering processes, tools, and practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• 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 product development lifecycles and gated review processes.
• Experience working with regulated quality systems (e.g. AS9100, ISO9001).

The following experience is desirable:

• Experience in RF and microwave engineering, including circuit design, simulation, and system integration
• Experience delivering RF engineering projects within aerospace, defence, or similar high-reliability industries.
• Hands-on experience with RF simulation tools and laboratory test equipment (e.g. VNAs, spectrum analysers).
• Skills & Competencies

Technical

• Electronic system and hardware design
• Digital and analogue circuit design
• Requirements management and traceability
• Verification, validation, and test strategies
• Design for manufacturability and reliability

Project & Delivery

• Engineering project planning and execution
• Risk and issue management
• Resource and stakeholder management
• Cost and schedule control

Strategic

• Ability to align engineering solutions with customer and business objectives
• Managing technical risk across programmes
• Supporting long-term product and technology roadmaps

Interpersonal

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Effective cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to influence customers, partners, and internal teams

Leadership

• Team leadership, coaching, and development
• Ownership of technical and project delivery
• Driving a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

Other Requirements

• Must be eligible for security clearance.

What We Can Offer You

• Flexible working practices – we work a 9-day fortnight, hybrid working, 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
• Private healthcare
• 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 with us

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
 

Third-Party Recruiters

Please note, that per Spectrum Control Policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our values and expectations. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that Spectrum Control will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity. If you or your agency are interested in becoming an approved vendor please contact [email protected].