Head of Hardware & Systems Engineering

We're looking for a Head of Hardware & Systems Engineering to turn advanced technology into robust, reliable and manufacturable products that protect people and critical assets around the world.

We're looking for a Head of Hardware & Systems Engineering to turn advanced technology into robust, reliable and manufacturable products that protect people and critical assets around the world.

Reporting directly to the CTO, you'll lead a growing team of over 10 engineers across Mechanical, Electronics and Systems, shaping capability, standards and delivery from early concepts through to manufacture.

This is an opportunity for an experienced engineering leader who enjoys technical complexity, develops talented people and brings clarity to competing priorities. You'll have the scope to strengthen how we work and make a visible impact as Open Works grows.

Open Works is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations.

We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.

Open Works Engineering operates within the defence sector. As part of our recruitment and onboarding processes, we collect information that may be required to support future security vetting and clearance requirements, should these become necessary during employment.

Join a high-energy, collaborative team where great ideas thrive, challenges are embraced, and people genuinely love what they do.

• Rewarding Success - Competitive salary, starting from £90,000, plus a discretionary annual bonus of up to 25% of salary alongside a structured pay progression framework.
• Enhanced Pension - Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
• More Time to Recharge - 25 days' holiday plus public holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
• Breakfast & Lunch on Us - Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
• Health & Wellbeing - Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
• Sustainable Travel - Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
• Team Socials - Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
• Learning & Growth - A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.

• Lead and develop the team:
  Build capability, ensuring a high performance across Mechanical, Electronics and Systems through clear expectations, coaching, recruitment and ownership.
• Drive engineering delivery:
  Turn product and business priorities into achievable plans, managing capacity, resources and commitments across multiple projects.
• Provide technical leadership:
  Set engineering standards, challenge designs and guide complex decisions, keeping risks, requirements and interfaces under control.
• Take concepts into production:
  Lead development through prototyping, verification and new product introduction, embedding manufacturability, testability, compliance and supportability.
• Bring disciplines together:
  Work closely with Software, Intelligence & Autonomy, Product and Operations to deliver reliable, integrated products.
• Align teams and remove barriers:
  Clarify priorities, ownership and dependencies across functions, resolve blockers and elevate trade-offs that need wider business decisions.

• Proven engineering leadership:
  Significant experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams in complex R&D and product development environments.
• Technical credibility: A strong Systems, Mechanical or Electronics background, supported by a relevant engineering degree or equivalent, with the confidence to challenge experienced…