Systems Engineer Manager

Posted 15/04/2026 by Tatton Recruitment

Location:
Bristol
Salary/Rate:
£80/hour Overtime Rate
World Class Defence Organisation is currently looking to recruit a Head of FCAS Systems Design Co-Ordination ( Systems Engineer Manager ) subcontractor on an initial 6 month contract. 
 
This position would suit a candite from the Defence / Aerospace industries and from a Systems Engineering Management background.
 
Rate: £80.00 per hour
Location: Bristol, Stevenage or Bolton, depending on your preference. 
Hybrid / Remote working: Hybrid, 3 days per week onsite (the department can offer a compressed 4 day week of Monday to Thursday)
Contract: 37 Hours per week
Overtime: Hours worked over 37 hours per week will be calculated at ‘time and a quarter’
Duration: 6 Months (initially and then ongoing and long-term thereafter)
IR35 status: Inside IR35 (Umbrella)
Interview process: 1 stage video interview

Head of FCAS Systems Design Co-Ordination Job Description:
 
FCAS is one of the largest, most exciting and challenging programmes within Defence – to design and deliver a Future Combat Air Programme for the RAF in record time. The key cornerstone of FCAS is the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which sees the UK working with our international partners Italy and Japan.  FCAS and GCAP combined present a unique opportunity to influence the design of the platform and wider system to reflect a new approach to weapon integration and employment of effects rather than just traditional integration of effectors to an existing platform.
The FCAS portfolio consists of a number of different projects and contracts looking at different areas within Combat Air. The company is involved in a number of these projects including the TEMPEST project, where some novel technologies are being explored, the main UK FCAS Acquisition Programme, as well as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). 
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the FCAS Programme within the Systems Delivery Coordination area as the Head of FCAS Systems Engineering Co-ordination.
As the Head of FCAS Systems Engineering Co-ordination you would support a team of 70 engineers, a highly visible role that would report directly to the Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) and also deputise for them within the company, external partners and the Customer.
This role will have responsibility to define sector wide engineering process and will ensure co-ordination over the CSE organisation.
This is an exciting role that reaches across FCAS both within the company and our external partners.
 
Responsibilities:
  • Senior Engineering manager for System Products & Technologies Task Group (CSE owned Task Group - SPaT)
    • Support with recruitment
    • Support the team with effective development plans
    • Manage mobility within the team
  • Lead the Systems Design Co-Ordination & Transversals Team (SDCaT Team)
    • Line management of team within SDCaT
    • Ownership of activities assigned to SDCaT:
      • Human Factors management and co-ordination
      • Through Life Services
      • Safety
      • Product Security
      • Weapon Integration
  • Manage programme wide engineering governance
    • Ownership of Project gates and design reviews
    • Ownership of Engineering Management Plan and Systems Engineering Management Plan
  • Management of Stakeholders
    • Manage relationship with the customer
    • Manage relationship with MOD
    • Manage relationship with internal stakeholders
  • Bid and long term planning for SDCaT
  • Provide technical review of the outputs from SPaT
 
Skillset/experience required:

  • Demonstrable ability to form and maintain strong relationships within both the sector and with our external partners
  • Strong leadership to be able to develop individuals roles on project and ensure they have the right opportunities
  • Excellent understanding of multiple stakeholder needs and how these align within a wider business context to aid effective decision making
  • Ability to influence and drive a narrative
  • Fantastic attention to detail along with excellent organisational and communication skills
Type:
Contract
Start Date:
14/04/2026
Contract Length:
6+ Months
Job Reference:
BH-80697
Job ID:
224987017

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