Chief Engineer (Space & Defence)

Description

• Champion the voice of the customer in internal product planning discussions
• Own the technical response strategy for major bids (e.g., ESA, MOD, NATO, commercial primes)
• Collaborate with engineering and commercial teams to ensure proposal alignment with customer requirements and compliance criteria
• Conduct competitive analysis and gather customer intelligence to steer R&D investment priorities
• Define and refine RF product capabilities based on market needs and programme trends in space and defence
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with procurement, engineering, and programme teams within major customers
• Provide market and customer insights to influence the product development lifecycle and go-to-market strategies
• Develop and maintain compelling product collateral, capability briefs, and white papers that demonstrate our strengths in RF innovation
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and technical forums to promote brand awareness and market relevance
• Translate complex engineering capabilities into winning proposal content
• Act as a technical advisor to key customers, ensuring alignment with both short-term project needs and long-term strategic roadmaps

Requirements

• Knowledge of software-defined or digitally enhanced RF systems
• Excellent collaboration skills; able to work across functions and manage inputs from diverse technical teams
• Degree in RF Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or equivalent technical discipline (Master's or PhD advantageous)
• High attention to detail, with a commitment to proposal quality and compliance
• Experience bridging technical and commercial domains in a customer-facing role
• Strong strategic thinking with commercial awareness
• Organised, deadline-driven, and able to manage multiple bid timelines concurrently
• Familiarity with UK/US export control regulations (ITAR, EAR, UK Export Control)
• Strong understanding of RF subsystems, including amplifiers, filters, and integrated modules for aerospace or secure communication systems
• Exceptional technical writing and communication skills, with a proven ability to distil complex ideas into clear, compelling messaging
• Proven success in writing or contributing to complex, high-value technical proposals for major programmes or frameworks (e.g., ESA, UK MOD, NATO, large defence primes)
• Significant experience in RF/microwave systems, technical product management, or bid leadership in the space or defence sectors

Benefits

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance