About this role
We’re building the UK's next generation engineering powerhouse, providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience. We specialise in turning advances in sensing, AI, and communications into operational capability for the edge, where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology, improving decision-making for frontline teams, and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments. Headquartered in Bristol, Rowden employs around 200 people and operates over 20,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europe’s fastest-growing engineering businesses. The role Rowden’s engineering organisation is scaling rapidly in both size and complexity. We are delivering complex multi-year programmes across AI-enabled systems, edge networks, distributed infrastructure, sensing, mission software, cloud, and systems integration, while continuing to build new products and engineering capabilities. As we scale, we want to be deliberate about how engineering grows: where we invest, what capabilities we build, which tools and environments we improve, and how we remove friction from delivery. As Engineering Operations Manager, you will work closely with the VP Engineering and engineering leaders to help scale the engineering organisation effectively. You will identify where friction is slowing teams down, where capability or coordination gaps are emerging, and what operational or engineering improvements are needed next, turning fragmented operational information into the insight needed to make fast, high-conviction decisions around delivery trade-offs, investment, and prioritisation. You will also lead the execution of engineering initiatives that improve how the organisation operates at scale, from tooling and workflows through to new engineering capabilities and operational improvements. The environment is fast-moving, technically complex, and highly collaborative. You do not need to be the deepest technical specialist in the room, but you do need the technical fluency, systems thinking, and judgement to engage credibly with engineers and deliver meaningful operational improvements. The right person for this role will enjoy untangling complexity, spotting pressure points early, and helping a high-performing engineering organisation continue to scale without losing speed, coordination, or engineering quality. You do not need to be an engineer by trade to do this role, but you do need to have sufficient experience working with engineers on difficult engineering problems. Someone with a technical project management background may be just as well suited to the role. Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance. More information about security clearance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels Building an accurate view of how engineering is operating across the business – unearthing delivery pressure points, capability gaps, scaling risks, and operational improvements early. Interrogating forecasts, delivery assumptions, engineering demand, and technical constraints to understand the realities of trade-offs and priorities across the organisation. Turning fragmented information from projects, teams, bids, and delivery reviews into clear operational insight that supports fast, high-conviction decisions. Leading engineering improvement initiatives across tooling, workflows, and engineering ways of working. Spending time close to the teams and the work, understanding how engineering operates on the ground rather than relying purely on reporting. Driving the operational cadence of the engineering function across planning, reviews, reporting, and cross-functional coordination. Coordinating the engineering graduate scheme, including rotations, placement planning, and helping build long-term engineering capability across the organisation.