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.
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:
o In‑house Part 21J design work
o 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:
o OEM customers
o Third‑party Design Organisations
o 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:
o Non‑conformances
o Design interpretation queries
o 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
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