Lead Systems Engineer (Large)

I’m supporting a long-established aerospace engineering organisation in Wimborne, Dorset that is looking to appoint an experienced Lead Systems Engineer to take ownership of complex engineering programmes within a regulated aerospace environment.

The site designs and delivers specialist systems for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, including air-to-air refuelling systems, refuelling probes, launch systems using pneumatic and pyrotechnic technologies, and a range of defensive sub-systems.
The work supports long-term international programmes across both new development and in-service platforms.

 This position would suit a senior engineer with a strong systems background who is comfortable leading significant engineering activity with minimal oversight. You’ll take technical ownership of large projects, or multiple smaller projects, and provide direction to Project Engineers and supporting functions.
The role combines systems engineering leadership, project delivery, and customer-facing responsibility, with involvement across the full engineering lifecycle.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Taking technical leadership of large projects or multiple concurrent engineering activities.
Providing technical direction and support to Project Engineers.
Planning engineering tasks, coordinating internal functions, and producing engineering management plans.
Acting as a technical interface with customers, ensuring expectations are understood, managed, and delivered.
Planning, leading, and presenting engineering design gate reviews, working closely with airworthiness, safety, and other internal teams to meet delivery milestones.
Identifying, managing, and mitigating technical risks and opportunities.
Working across the full systems lifecycle, including requirements management, validation, design, development, integration, verification, and qualification.
Managing engineering change to maintain system integrity and full traceability of key design decisions throughout the lifecycle.
Providing guidance and support across all stages of the product lifecycle.
Liaising with engineering leadership and programme management to ensure projects are adequately resourced and to highlight potential capability or capacity shortfalls early.Background I’m Looking For:
A degree in a relevant engineering discipline is preferred.
Around 10 years’ experience in an engineering role within a complex or regulated environment.
Proven experience leading engineering projects and providing technical leadership to other engineers.Skills & Approach:
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to engage customers and internal stakeholders.
Self-motivated and proactive, with a structured and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
Solid experience of engineering lifecycles and design review processes.
Comfortable producing clear, well-structured technical reports.
Able to present technical information at all levels within the organisation.
Some indirect or direct leadership experience.
Prior engineering document sign-off experience is beneficial but not essential.
Experience working with project management teams on schedules would be an advantage.This role involves access to US ITAR-controlled technology and information, so additional screening may be required as part of the recruitment process.

If you’d like to have a proper conversation about the role, the work involved, and whether it’s a good fit for you, I’m happy to talk it through in confidence.
Ian at Holt Engineering
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