Lead Systems Engineer

As a Principal Engineer, you will manage the design engineering process for a highly specialized product set, namely large occupancy, inflatable military life rafts for both air and maritime applications. Your expertise will be crucial in advancing product innovation, ensuring our products meet stringent safety standards and commercial objectives. This role requires a deep understanding of aerospace mechanical engineering and an active involvement in developing our junior engineers whilst standing up and leading a Design Engineering team.Key responsibilities and accountabilitiesProvide top-tier design engineering expertise within contract terms or service level agreements, including planning, coordinating, and supervising major contracts.Identify and implement improvements to existing product designs, develop and deliver product roadmap changes, and new product developmentsManage the knowledge management system, contributing to its development and ensuring effective knowledge sharing.Address emerging design, quality, safety, and operational issues, identifying causes, barriers, stakeholders, and related issues.Develop procedures and interpret regulatory requirements to ensure product compliance and best practice, monitoring the commercial success of product developments.Analyze the feasibility of proposed complex products and services, making recommendations for development, replacement, or retirement.Oversee a portfolio of change projects, reporting progress to senior colleagues.Recommend improvements to policies, processes, standards, and practices.Evaluate and identify solutions that best meet business and customer needs.Engage in continuous professional development, maintaining a deep understanding of technology, regulations, and industry best practices.Experience, Qualifications and SkillsExtensive mechanical engineering experience within the aerospace industry.Experience with system-level integration, finite element analysis, and strong mechanical skills.Experience with product certification for aviation applications (Military or Federal regulations).Background and knowledge in materials science.People management / supervisory experience – at least 2-5 years in an Engineering Lead / Middle Management roleBEng/MEng/BSc/MSc in Engineering, preferably mechanical or aerospace engineering.At least 5-10 years Engineering experience in industry.Desirable:Professional / Chartered Engineer status.Experience in product safety.Knowledge and experience of inflatable / pressure vessel type products.Knowledge and experience of coated textiles / films manufacturing joining processes (e.g. high frequency and ultrasonic welding).