Company: Ultra Intelligence & Communications
Cyber (UK) Business
Powering Decision
Join the team redefining defense technology. From engineering systems that save lives to leading programs that change the battlefield—find your place in the future of defense.
Cyber Business
Our Cyber business unit is at the forefront of pioneering advanced cryptographic and key management solutions, facilitating the confidential exchange of vital information for customers operating at both tactical and strategic echelons. Join our team and participate in the innovation that ensures the highest security and trust worldwide.
Job Description
The Chief Engineer is a highly experienced engineer with in-depth experience of the full project lifecycle and the associated governance requirements. The Chief Engineer provides oversight for multiple large, complex and multi-disciplinary projects, within Ultra Cyber, ranging from tens of £k to several £m. Responsibilities include assurance of project adherence to both functional and non-functional requirements (e.g. safety, conformance, quality), and oversight to ensure high quality design that is developed in accordance with the required security aspects.
Key Responsibilities
Business Development
Maintain visibility of upcoming bids and opportunities
Work with BD to build proposal and costings
Review technical proposals for deliverability
Contribute towards the alignment of Ultra Cyber Business Strategy, the underpinning Technical Strategy and the engineering plan to deliver it, articulating the shared understanding of the constraints
Technical Governance of Bids
At bid stage, agree an appropriate engineering design process for a proposed project and ensure that it is appropriately documented, consulting with the relevant Heads of Discipline
Ensure compliance with relevant and contractual, international, national and local regulations/legislation is considered when bidding
Support BD gate review process to ensure all engineering considerations, risks, and opportunities have been considered.
Assure estimates for bids, providing sign-off against deliverability
Technical Governance of Projects
During project delivery, assure that agreed engineering design process is followed
Ensure analysis completed regarding relevant and contractual, international, national and local regulations/legislation and requirements are included as appropriate on projects
Chair Engineering Design Reviews, acting as Gate Keeper to ensure progression only with well understood and acceptable levels of technical risk and technical debt
Oversee management of technical risks
Review project engineering metrics, supporting the project team in preparation and delivery of Technical Project Reviews
Assure projects and products meet the required performance and quality
Accountable for Project Engineering Change Control
Review project engineering documentation, setting the bar for quality of design documentation
Approve technical documents for release, according to the DCRAM (Document Configuration Review and Approval Matrix)
Provide Design Assurance, acting as signatory on DDP (Declaration of Design Performance), Technical File and Safety Checklist as required
Customer/stakeholder point of contact for Engineering aspects.
Provides sounding board for projects (security, process, technical issues…)
Resolve/facilitate resolution of engineering conflict on project
Escalate issues through Engineering chain
Responsible for progressing security concerns
Security Adviser to the project to:
assure adherence to the Security Aspects Letter (SAL)
provide guidance on the appropriateness of the SAL
Provide Safety assurance through governance of the engineering development process
Act as Authority interface
A Chief Engineer is also expected to provide wider Engineering impact through:
Mentoring of senior engineers
Working with BD & Innovation to provide input to technical strategy
Capturing project/project knowledge from Lessons Learnt (formal or informal) and inputting into SQEP plans
A Chief Engineer may also act as an Independent Chief Engineer on a project, to provide independent oversight, primarily chairing gate reviews but also providing a sounding board for the project Chief Engineer.
A Chief Engineer may also act as a Design Authority on a project, if they have appropriate domain and technical knowledge.
Required Experience, Skills And Qualifications
Confident communicator, both written and verbal
Highly organised, self-managing, able to manage multiple activities at any one time
Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage effectively with all audiences/stakeholders at all levels in the organisation
Degree in an engineering, mathematical or science-based subject or equivalent experience.
Significant experience in one (or more preferably), software, firmware, hardware or systems engineering.
Expert knowledge of the V-model, and good/best practice engineering process.
Extensive experience in technical leadership and managing delivery of multi-disciplined engineering projects.
Security Clearance
Candidates must be willing and able to obtain, and maintain, DV security clearance
#IC
Notice
Due to the nature of the programs we deliver for our customers, candidates may need to obtain the relevant security clearance or handle export-controlled material as defined by the role's requirements. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. For more information, please visit the UKSV website.
Our Benefits
Every employee is critical to our success, and as such, we offer a range of flexible employee benefits, including:
Participation in an Annual Bonus Scheme
Private Medical Cover
25 days' holiday (plus Bank Holidays) with the option to buy an extra 5 days
Pension Contribution
4 x Life Assurance Cover
Flexible working hours with opportunity for a 1pm finish on a Friday
Flexible benefits including cycle to work scheme, will writing and more
Security Clearance Allowance – where relevant and subject to you holding the required security clearance
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
At Ultra I&C, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusivity. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be the best version of yourself. We also believe that people from different backgrounds and cultures will increase our diversity of thinking, ensuring we successfully deliver to our customers. We, therefore, do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We also support requests for flexible working arrangements wherever possible. If you have any issues with your application, please email us at -