Chief Engineer & Deputy Design Authority

Description

Chief Engineer & Deputy Design Authority

Programme Name: Maritime

Location: Farnborough, with flexibility to work from home and travel to customer sites dependent on business demands

Join our UK Team who are committed to a Mission!

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer and Deputy Maritime Design Authority to lead the delivery of new naval capabilities within a fast‑paced, collaborative environment, supporting national security objectives.

Reporting to the Maritime Design Authority, you will oversee all phases of the platform lifecycle, including detailed design and the outfit of Sea Dagger with our strategic shipyard partner. You will also support the Maritime Design Authority in developing additional opportunities across the Leidos National Security & Defence (NS&

D) Maritime portfolio.

You will work with multidiscipline engineers and other functions within the Leidos team, including stakeholders, customers, end users and supply chain. Good communication skills and the ability to organise activities in a complex environment are essential.

• Working with the Maritime Design Authority, own all engineering decisions for the platform, ensuring technical coherence across the engineering disciplines;
• Provide technical input to project governance boards, design reviews (including PDR, CDR, PRR and TRR reviews), and MoD assurance activities;
• Coordinate engineering planning, scheduling, and risk management to support programme milestones;
• Oversee integration of mechanical, electrical, structural, combat systems and platform systems into an assured, compliant design. Support outfit, systems integration, harbour and sea trials, acceptance activities, operational trial and transition into service. Ensure system designs are appropriately documented, overseeing troubleshooting steps to maintain clear and accurate records;
• Ensure engineering activities align with relevant Mil-Stan, Def-Stan, IACS Codes, MCA and other relevant UK maritime regulations;
• Oversee engineering change process including engineering configuration control and technical baselines throughout the project lifecycle;
• Serve as a technical interface with the MoD, suppliers, and internal leadership;
• Foster a high performance culture focused on accountability, support and empowerment. Champion Leidos values of integrity, innovation, inclusion, agility, collaboration and commitment;
• Collaborate closely with production, procurement, quality and project management teams;
• Ensure adherence to the Leidos safety, environmental and quality standards during technical operations of the programme;
• Establish and maintain the platform’s Safety Case, ensuring compliance with UK Defence Safety Authority (DSA) regulations. Oversee hazard identification, risk assessments, and safety‑critical decision‑making.

What does Leidos need from me?

You will have proven experience in engineering delivery and marine systems design, with naval architecture experience in small craft desirable. You will demonstrate strong capability in systems integration during outfit and sea trials to optimise platform availability and performance.

The successful candidate will bring energy and will lead by example in building an inclusive, collaborative, enterprise across all delivery partners and stakeholders including our strategic boat outfit supplier.

• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous improvement;
• Ensure the Maritime engineering teams follow best practice in systems engineering, design assurance, and safety management;
• Communicate complex engineering issues clearly to non‑technical stakeholders;
• Mentor junior engineers and support capability development across the organisation;
• Personal attributes required:
  • Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at all levels;
  • Excellent problem‑solving skills and sound engineering judgement;
  • Clear communicator with the ability to simplify complex technical issues;
  • Transparent, approachable and ambassador for collaborative teamwork across the whole enterprise including suppliers, stakeholders and customer(s);
  • Resilient…