Head of Sub-System / Air Defence Design Authority

Lead the development, delivery and in-service support of a mission-critical subsystem used across multiple UK and export air-defence programmes. This is a high-visibility Design Authority / Product Line Lead role owning a family of Maintainer Local Terminal (MLT) products from hardware down-select through to delivery into service, with real influence over roadmap, interfaces, and future bids. The MLT is a critical component that provides common capabilities across systems, including secure software update, system configuration, data log download/replay/analysis, and training scenario execution. In some cases, it runs on multi-role hardware that also hosts operator console software-so your work directly enables availability, supportability, and operational readiness. What you'll be doing: Own the MLT product line strategy and roadmap, including support to bids/new work and cross-programme alignment.
Act as the Design Authority for a cross-program product family, accountable for the full development lifecycle and delivery into service.
Lead a team of systems engineers responsible for HW/SW requirements, verification & validation, certification, and factory "setting-to-work" support.
Partner closely with software, cyber security, human factors, peer subsystem teams, and external suppliers to define common interfaces and select/procure hardware. Experience needed: Proactive with a mind for product-line development and systems thinking
Strategic thinking
Excellent stakeholder engagement both internally with programme leadership and with external suppliers

Systems design / systems engineering experience in complex systems development
Knowledge of Windows-based, secure product development
Experience across the product development lifecycle and in-service support
Applied experience of work package management. Working & security: This role supports a classified workload, so hybrid working typically requires 3-4 days per week onsite in Bristol. Candidates must be British Citizens (or dual UK nationals with British citizenship) and will complete BPSS checks after offer stage. Even If you feel like you don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to reach out and apply