Job Description
Aerospace - Part 21J Design Organisation – Part 21G Production Organisation
Location: Isle of Wight
Company Overview
We are a dynamic, fast-growing UK-based business specialising in the design, development, and supply of cabin interior upgrade solutions for commercial airlines worldwide. Our portfolio includes advanced in-seat power systems, state-of-the-art LED cabin mood lighting, and other retrofit solutions that enhance passenger experience and deliver operational efficiencies.
The role:
The Head of Design & Engineering is a senior technical leadership role responsible for:
* Acting as Head of Design for the company’s Part 21J Design Organisation
* Providing senior engineering leadership across both regulated and non-regulated product design activities
* Supporting the Part 21G Production Organisation through technical problem solving and mentoring
* Ensuring consistent engineering standards across in-house and OEM customer programmes
The role combines hands-on electronics design, regulatory accountability, customer-facing technical leadership, and professional development of engineers. Design engineers operate flexibly across Part 21J projects and third-party/OEM subcontract design work, and this role ensures appropriate governance, standards, and competence across both.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership – Part 21J & Non-Part 21J
* Act as Head of Design for the CAA-approved Part 21J Design Organisation, ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance.
* Lead and govern non-Part 21J design activities, including subcontract and OEM product design carried out under customer design authority.
* Ensure clear segregation, where required, between DOA-controlled activities and customer-controlled design work.
* Maintain consistent engineering standards, tools, and design practices across regulated and non-regulated projects.
* Provide hands-on electronics design input where appropriate, maintaining technical credibility and depth.
* Review and approve technical outputs in line with applicable regulatory or contractual frameworks.
Engineering Team Leadership & Development
* Provide functional leadership for the design engineering team, whose activities flex between:
* In-house Part 21J design work
* Subcontract and OEM-led design programmes
* Coach, mentor, and technically develop engineers at all levels.
* Support career development, and succession planning.
Customer & Third-Party Engagement
* Act as senior technical interface with:
* OEM customers
* Third-party Design Organisations
* Key suppliers and partners
* Lead or support technical calls, design reviews, and problem-resolution activities.
* Ensure customer requirements are translated into robust, manufacturable, and (where applicable) certifiable designs.
Production Support & Engineering Mentoring
* Provide technical support to Production and Production Engineering, (line management is elsewhere in the organisation).
* Support investigation and resolution of production issues, including:
* Non-conformances
* Design interpretation queries
* Build or test anomalies
* Provide professional mentoring and technical coaching to production engineers and the wider engineering community.
* Support root cause analysis and corrective action development where required.
Business & Leadership Responsibilities
* Be an active member of the business management team.
* Provide technical input to bids, proposals, and programme planning.
* Help shape engineering strategy, capability development, and technology roadmap.
* Promote a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement.
Skills & Experience
* Strong background in electronics design, including schematic capture, PCB design, and system integration.
* Experience operating across both regulated (Part 21J) and non-regulated/OEM design environments.
* Proven ability to lead and mentor engineers without direct line management authority.
* Experience supporting production and manufacturing through technical problem-solving.
* Excellent communication skills with customers, regulators, and internal stakeholders.
Qualifications
* Degree (or equivalent) in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
* Experience suitable for CAA acceptance as Head of Design.
Remuneration
Competitive salary, depending on experience
DIS
Private Healthcare
Company Pension