Deputy chief engineer

Job Description

This role is for a Deputy Chief Engineer / Platform Design Authority who will support a complex delivery programme utilizing hybrid cloud hosting of tailored COTS products to deliver critical national infrastructure services to a law enforcement customer.

Location: Farnborough (Hybrid). The role operates from a work hub in Farnborough with occasional travel across the UK.

The Deputy Chief Engineer assists the Chief Engineer in supervising engineering operations, projects, and technical teams, ensuring operational and tactical activities are carried out in line with agreed designs, standards and requirements.

Internally: maintain steady state of technology delivered, monitor risks and issues, and act as conduit between Programme Senior Leadership and engineering teams, ensuring delivery aligns with ISO 9001, ISO 27001 and other standards.

This opportunity is ideal for aspiring Chief Engineers to develop technical leadership skills.

Platform Design Authority

As the Platform Design Authority (PDA) for the Hybrid Cloud Platform, ensure the platform meets agreed standards, conduct horizon scanning, maintain technical roadmaps for at least 18 months, and manage risks. Own low‑level designs and change management, plan remediation and escalation, collaborate with Delivery Lead on resource contention, and lead incident management.

Responsibilities

• Work directly under the direction of the Programme Chief Engineer
• Deputise from the Programme Chief Engineer when not available
• Deputise for Delivery Lead when not available
• Act as design authority for a Hybrid cloud platform
• Act as one of the key reviewers of core design artifacts e.g. HLD and LLDs
• Document platform and product roadmaps projected out to a minimum of 18 months
• Plan technology step‑change activities in coordination with the delivery lead to minimise disruption to delivery and minimise costs
• Work with the Delivery Lead and teams to define the delivery build logic and schedule work activates in the IMS including estimating and costing activities
• Own the Platform Transition To Operations work plan, coordinating with the Leidos and customer transition teams to ensure correct processes are followed, artifacts are generated and milestones are met at each transition state
• Work as part of the senior technology team (Chief Engineer, Solutions Architect, Security Architect, Cloud Architect) to develop design solutions
• Present design solutions to the customer
• Identify and report delivery progress and dependencies, risks and issues
• Maintain oversight of security and maintenance activites ensuring platform integrity is maintained in line with commercial commitments and requirements
• Identify gaps/opportunities, proposing solutions and managing exceptions/mitigations
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of hardware, software, and network components
• Providing technical leadership and mentorship across the programme
• Act as Line manager for a minimum of 2 staff

Qualifications

• Proven track record with experience in a technology delivery leadership role for IT/software systems
• Good working knowledge of software and hardware used for IT systems technologies primarily focused on platform and infrastructure technologies
• Experience of working within Agile and Waterfall delivery models and tailoring the working practices accordingly
• Bachelor’s degree or suitable experience in an Engineering or Technology subject
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in cross‑functional teams

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience delivering solutions based on a large range of technical capabilities and technologies including hardware, software, networks, cloud, IT services and cyber security
• Understanding of different lifecycles/methodologies (incremental, SAFe agile, DevOps)
• Strong architecture skills, alongside process and leadership skills
• In‑depth understanding of modern IT technology stacks for both On‑Prem and Cloud Platforms (PaaS and IaaS) including supporting services and tooling
• Experience leading multi‑discipline technical teams of 15+ technologists
• Experience in Enterprise IT and Service Management programmes
• Good working knowledge of IT security controls e.g. firewalls, NSGs, RBAC, NACLs, Zero Trust, Secure By Design, etc.
• Experience delivering through the engineering lifecycle using the V Model from requirement capture to customer acceptance
• Experience performing design trade‑offs working with other architects and engineers to deliver an integrated and coherent solution
• Understanding of service operations and security operational management planning
• Experience creating Basis of Estimates and Options papers for customer decisions
• Experience designing a secure software development lifecycle for a customer transitioning to a DevOps model
• Excellent structured analytical approach and organisational skills
• Self‑starter with ability to work with minimal supervision and oversight

Management, Communications and Soft Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and works well in a team environment
• Ability to communicate complex technical ideas across a wide range of audiences in written and verbal forms
• A good level of commercial awareness that informs designs, work planning and negotiations with suppliers and customers
• Contribute to Systems Concept of Operations Document through process definition and documentation
• Track and present progress of deliverables and dependencies
• Document engineering management/governance processes
• Strong leadership and management behaviours

Security Clearance/Travel

• Ability to gain Metropolitan Police Service NPPV2 security clearance (essential)
• Willingness to gain MOD DV (advantageous)
• Work can be done from Home Location
• Expected to be at the Farnborough office 2 days per fortnight
• Expected to attend Programme Increment planning 5 days every 3 months in Leidos Office (Farnborough/Glasgow)
• Ability to attend customer locations (Greater London) when needed, typically 2 days per month

Benefits

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
• Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
• Flexi‑Time

Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.