Associate Director - Engineering Operations

Belcan
Cheltenham
11 months ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

OT Cyber Security Engineer

BDM for Space Applications

Project Coordinator

Cyber Security Lead

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

Associate Director - Engineering Operations

Location: Cheltenham

About the Role:

Belcan is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Associate Director to lead our Belcan Advanced Solutions engineering teams. This dynamic leadership role involves managing day-to-day operations, ensuring project delivery, and driving innovation within the Cheltenham team for both Engineering and Manufacturing that covers both mechanical and electronic test equipment from concept to prototype to delivery. The Associate Director will support, develop, and deploy the strategic objectives of the organisation, fostering collaboration across departments and ensuring the achievement of key performance goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the day-to-day operation of engineering and manufacturing teams, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. Develop and implement operational processes and best practices to improve team performance and efficiency. Collaborate with project managers and team leaders to address capacity challenges and meet delivery timelines. Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and engagement of engineering staff to build high-performing teams. Drive the adoption of advanced tools, methodologies, and technologies to improve engineering productivity and innovation. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the engineering teams. Motivate teams by setting clear goals, providing direction, and recognizing achievements.

Marine Systems Specific Requirements:

Deep understanding of engineering principles, manufacturing processes, and industry-specific technologies within a test systems environment for automotive and aerospace clients. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence methodologies to drive efficiency and quality. Knowledge of industry regulations, standards, and safety protocols. Continuously seeks opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency. Promotes a strong safety culture, ensuring all operations adhere to health and safety standards. Ensures that manufactured products meet or exceed quality standards, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand reputation.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in engineering, business administration, or a related professional field; MBA or advanced degree preferred. Significant demonstrable experience in strategy, business development, leadership, or organizational roles within the services industry.

Why Join Belcan?

You will join a collaborative company that puts people at the heart of everything we do. As well as career development and a friendly and collaborative team, you will benefit from:

Company Pension scheme Generous holiday allowance Health assurance Electric Car scheme Hybrid and flexible working policies. Opportunity to be selected for Belcan's prestigious Eagle Award. …and much more.

Application Process:

Ready to take the next step in your career as a Belcan Associate Director? Apply now and become a part of Belcan's innovative and dynamic team!

About Belcan:

Founded in 1958, Belcan has become a global technological leader and established go-to Engineering Services provider, working within many industries including Aerospace, Defence, Marine, Nuclear, Automotive, and Cyber Security.

This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan.

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Space Industry Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a UK Space Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in the space industry — whether that’s spacecraft engineering, mission operations, space software, satellite systems, ground segment integration or space data analytics — it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tools, platforms and technologies mentioned in job adverts. One role wants experience with CAD and FEA software. Another asks for experience with GNSS simulation. A third mentions mission scheduling tools, RF link analysis suites, Python, C++, continuous integration — and it seems there’s always another acronym to learn. With so much listed, many candidates fall into the trap of thinking they must master every tool under the sun before they’ll be taken seriously. Here’s the honest truth most UK space hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you’ve heard of every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real space problems, explain your reasoning clearly, and deliver results. Tools matter, but they always serve a purpose: achieving mission goals, improving reliability, reducing risk, delivering data, or enabling collaboration. Tools are enablers — not trophies. So how many tools do you actually need to know to get a space job? The answer is much fewer and far more strategic than you might think. This article breaks down: what tools employers really expect which ones are core across most space roles which ones are role-specific how to present your tool proficiency on your CV and in interviews

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Space Sector Job Applications (UK Guide)

The space industry is one of the most exciting and multidisciplinary sectors in technology and engineering today. Whether you’re applying for roles in spacecraft design, aerospace systems, robotics, satellite communications, mission operations, payload engineering, space software, ground systems, or scientific research, your application must quickly show hiring managers that you are relevant, technically credible and ready to deliver. In the UK space jobs market — spanning organisations from startups to defence primes, agencies, research labs and commercial constellations — hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. They scan applications rapidly, often making a judgement about whether to read further within the first 10–20 seconds. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in space sector applications, how they assess CVs and portfolios, why specific signals matter, and how you can position your experience to stand out on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk .

The Skills Gap in UK Space Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

The UK space sector is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing high-tech industries in the world. From Earth observation and satellite communications to space robotics, launch systems and deep-space exploration, the breadth of opportunity is enormous. The UK Government’s ambition to capture a significant share of the global space economy has driven investment, policy support and a wave of innovative companies — both established and start-up. Yet despite strong academic programmes and a pipeline of graduates with relevant degrees, employers in the UK space sector consistently report a persistent problem: Many graduates are not prepared for real-world space industry jobs. This is not a matter of intelligence or motivation. Rather, it reflects a growing skills gap between what universities are teaching and what employers actually need from space professionals. In this article, we’ll explore why that gap exists, what universities are doing well, where they fall short, what employers want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in the UK space sector.