About this role
<p style="margin:0.0cm;background-color:white;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Job Title: Group Director of Engineering</span></strong></span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm;background-color:white;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Global Grade: GG17</span></strong></span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm;background-color:white;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Location: UK Selected Sites - Farnborough, Malvern, Boscombe Down, Portsmouth. </span></strong></span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm;background-color:white;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Role Type: <span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Permanent – Full Time</span></span></strong></span></p> <p style="margin:0.0cm;background-color:white;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:'Times New Roman', serif"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:black">Role ID: 20082</span></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Role Purpose</span></strong></span></p> <p><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Lead the transformation of engineering across the Group, positioning it as a core driver of growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Define and deliver a world-class engineering strategy that enhances delivery performance, accelerates innovation, and strengthens QinetiQ’s reputation as a trusted technical authority with customers, partners, and regulators globally. The role will establish engineering as a critical voice at Executive level, ensuring technical excellence, innovation, and delivery confidence are central to the Group’s strategic and commercial success.</span></p> <p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Strategic Impact of the Role</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Establish engineering as a critical influence in Executive decision-making.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Enable faster, more predictable programme delivery across the Group.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Drive adoption of digital and modern engineering practices.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Strengthen external technical credibility with key customers and partners.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Build a scalable, future-ready engineering workforce and capability.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Strategy Development & Transformation of the Function</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Define and drive the Group Engineering and Science Strategy aligned to growth priorities and market needs.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Position engineering as a key enabler of revenue growth, competitive advantage, and customer value.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Lead the transformation of engineering operating models, governance, and lifecycle frameworks to improve pace, predictability, and reuse.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Champion modern engineering practices including digital engineering, model-based systems engineering, and data-enabled decision-making.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Build a world-class engineering and science capability, including early careers, skills development, and future workforce planning.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Define principles, policies, and standards that enable high-performance, scalable engineering delivery across the Group.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Own Product Safety policy and ensure alignment with regulatory and licence-to-operate requirements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Delivery Confidence, Assurance and Performance</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Provide independent technical leadership and assurance to enable confident, high-quality programme delivery.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Drive improvement in right-first-time delivery, reducing rework and increasing efficiency.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Simplify engineering governance to enable agility while maintaining rigour and safety.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Align closely with Sector Chief Engineers/Scientists to ensure consistency and clarity of engineering standards.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Innovation, Knowledge and Continuous Improvement</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Establish a systematic, Group-wide approach to knowledge management and lessons learnt.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Embed continuous improvement practices across the engineering community.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Enable effective transfer of innovation from concept through to delivery.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Technical Community and Capability Leadership</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Lead and inspire the Group engineering community, fostering a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and excellence.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Build and sustain an engaged and productive technical community of interest.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Strengthen engineering leadership capability at all levels of the organisation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">External Engagement and Influence</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Act as a visible external ambassador for QinetiQ engineering capability.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Build strategic partnerships across industry, academia, and government.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">o Leverage external best practice to continuously enhance engineering performance and relevance.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Key Accountabilities</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Overall accountability for the consistency, efficiency and effectiveness of technical/ engineering QinetiQ Group - specific KPIs include:</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Delivery of a clear, actionable Engineering and Science Strategy for the Group</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Measurable improvement in programme delivery performance (cost, schedule, quality)</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Increased right-first-time delivery and reduction in rework across programmes</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Adoption and impact of modern engineering frameworks and toolsets</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Contribution of engineering to business growth, win rate, and customer satisfaction</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Simplification and effectiveness of engineering governance and assurance</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Engagement, capability, and retention of the engineering workforce</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Key Capabilities/Knowledge</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Strategic Leadership: Ability to shape and deliver enterprise-wide engineering transformation.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Executive Influence: Credibility and presence to influence and challenge at Board and Executive level.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Technical Credibility: Deep engineering or scientific background with recognised professional standing.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of how engineering drives business performance and competitive advantage.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Transformation Expertise: Proven ability to lead large-scale organisational and operating model change.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Systems Thinking: Ability to connect engineering, technology, operations, and commercial outcomes.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Collaboration and Influence: Highly effective at working across organisational and external boundaries.</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• People Leadership: Track record of building high-performing teams and long-term capability.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;color:black">Experience & Qualifications</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Proven experience operating at senior leadership level within a complex, engineering-led organisation</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Track record of delivering enterprise-wide engineering or technology transformation</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Experience leading global functions and influencing across geographic and organisational boundaries</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Strong external reputation for technical and/or programme excellence</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Experience in regulated, safety-critical, or high-assurance environments</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Extensive multi-disciplinary engineering experience</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional recognition)</span><br><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt;color:black">• International experience working with global stakeholders and customers</span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Why Join QinetiQ?</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. <a href="http://www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq">www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq</a></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Our Benefits</strong></span></p> <ul style="list-style-type:disc" type="disc"> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Competitive holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme</span></li> <li style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Our Recruitment Process:</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt">Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><strong>Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-national-security-vetting-solution-guidance-for-subjects">UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a></span></p>