Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Lead, Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS)
Join to apply for the Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Lead, Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) role at Dstl
Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Lead, Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS)
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Join to apply for the Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Lead, Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) role at Dstl
Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ or Dstl Portsdown West, Fareham, Hamsphire, PO17 6AD
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for a minimum of 60% of your working time. Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working.This is a non-contractual arrangement.
Job Summary
Dstl is seeking a dynamic and technically skilled Complex Electronic Hardware (CEH) Lead to join the UK MOD's Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and support the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) — a trilateral partnership with Japan and Italy to design and deliver the next-generation crewed fighter aircraft.
The FCAS will deliver a 6th Generation capability that surpasses today’s most advanced systems, placing software, autonomy, and complex electronic hardware at its core. As CEH Lead, you'll be at the forefront of helping define how CEH is integrated, assured, and sustained across the UK’s most critical future defence programme.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job Description
In FCAS, programmable elements (PE)—particularly software and CEH—are fundamental to mission success and national defence advantage. This role is a rare opportunity to influence an international defence programme, guiding how CEH is developed, assured, and integrated into a highly autonomous and adaptable fast jet platform
In This Role You Will:
* Lead the CEH Capability
* Influence National & International Stakeholders
* Build Sustainable Technical Structures
* Lead Research & Knowledge Development
* Foster a High-Performing Team Environment
In FCAS, programmable elements (PE)—particularly software and CEH—are fundamental to mission success and national defence advantage. This role is a rare opportunity to influence an international defence programme, guiding how CEH is developed, assured, and integrated into a highly autonomous and adaptable fast jet platform
In This Role You Will:
* Lead the CEH Capability
* Influence National & International Stakeholders
* Build Sustainable Technical Structures
* Lead Research & Knowledge Development
* Foster a High-Performing Team Environment
Person specification
We are looking for someone who has the following skills & experience:
Skills
* Proven leadership in CEH or safety-/mission-critical embedded systems
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
* Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and its relationship to hardware
* Experience applying statistical rigour, data science methods, and mathematical modelling
* Hands-on programming experience in languages such as C/C++, Java, Python, MATLAB, Go
* Ability to mentor and coach technical colleagues and drive knowledge transfer
* Strong systems thinking and ability to manage complexity in uncertain environments
* Familiarity with cyber resilience and software/hardware assurance concepts.
Experience
* Proven track record of technical leadership of small to medium-sized teams
* Experience with stakeholder management across complex technical environments
* Hands-on experience with software measurement approaches and delivery metrics
* Applied experience in technical mentoring, knowledge management, and capability building
* Strong background in producing technical documentation and briefing senior audiences
* Experience in setting or shaping CEH delivery plans across system development projects
Please see the full job profile in the candidate pack at the bottom of this page for more information.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Leadership
* Communicating and Influencing
* Changing and Improving
* Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Leadership
Alongside your salary of £57,297, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £16,598 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
* Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
* Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
* Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
* Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
* Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
* Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
* Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
* Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 4th August 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 18th August 2025, interviews will consist of a combined technical & Behavioural interview to include a 5 minute presentation entitled 'How have you selected integrated & assured CEH use in a high integrity environment?'.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
* Name : Dstl Recruitment Team
* Email : Dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
* Industries
Defense and Space Manufacturing
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