Lead Systems Engineer

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.

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.

• Take technical leadership of large projects or multiple concurrent engineering activities.
• Provide technical direction and support to Project Engineers.
• Plan engineering tasks, coordinate internal functions, and produce engineering management plans.
• Act as a technical interface with customers, ensuring expectations are understood, managed, and delivered.
• Plan, lead, and present engineering design gate reviews, working closely with airworthiness, safety, and other internal teams to meet delivery milestones.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities.
• Work across the full systems lifecycle, including requirements management, validation, design, development, integration, verification, and qualification.
• Manage engineering change to maintain system integrity and full traceability of key design decisions throughout the lifecycle.
• Provide guidance and support across all stages of the product lifecycle.
• Liaise with engineering leadership and programme management to ensure projects are adequately resourced and to highlight potential capability or capacity shortfalls early.

• A degree in a relevant engineering discipline (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.
• Some indirect or direct leadership experience.
• Prior engineering document sign‑off experience beneficial but not essential.
• Experience working with project management teams on schedules advantage.

• 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 life cycles and design review processes.
• Comfortable producing clear, well‑structured technical reports.
• Able to present technical information at all levels within the organisation.
• Experience working with project management teams on schedules advantage.

This role involves access to US ITAR‑controlled technology and information, so additional screening may be required as part of the recruitment process.