Group Director Engineering

Job Title: Group Director of Engineering

Global Grade: GG17

Location: UK Selected Sites - Farnborough Malvern Boscombe Down Portsmouth.

Role Type: Permanent Full Time

Role ID: 20082

Role Purpose

Lead the transformation of engineering across the Group positioning it as a core driver of growth innovation and competitive advantage. Define and deliver a world-class engineering strategy that enhances delivery performance accelerates innovation and strengthens QinetiQs reputation as a trusted technical authority with customers partners and regulators globally. The role will establish engineering as a critical voice at Executive level ensuring technical excellence innovation and delivery confidence are central to the Groups strategic and commercial success.

Strategic Impact of the Role

o Establish engineering as a critical influence in Executive decision-making.
o Enable faster more predictable programme delivery across the Group.
o Drive adoption of digital and modern engineering practices.
o Strengthen external technical credibility with key customers and partners.
o Build a scalable future-ready engineering workforce and capability.

Strategy Development & Transformation of the Function
o Define and drive the Group Engineering and Science Strategy aligned to growth priorities and market needs.
o Position engineering as a key enabler of revenue growth competitive advantage and customer value.
o Lead the transformation of engineering operating models governance and lifecycle frameworks to improve pace predictability and reuse.
o Champion modern engineering practices including digital engineering model-based systems engineering and data-enabled decision-making.
o Build a world-class engineering and science capability including early careers skills development and future workforce planning.
o Define principles policies and standards that enable high-performance scalable engineering delivery across the Group.
o Own Product Safety policy and ensure alignment with regulatory and licence-to-operate requirements.

Delivery Confidence Assurance and Performance
o Provide independent technical leadership and assurance to enable confident high-quality programme delivery.
o Drive improvement in right-first-time delivery reducing rework and increasing efficiency.
o Simplify engineering governance to enable agility while maintaining rigour and safety.
o Align closely with Sector Chief Engineers/Scientists to ensure consistency and clarity of engineering standards.

Innovation Knowledge and Continuous Improvement
o Establish a systematic Group-wide approach to knowledge management and lessons learnt.
o Embed continuous improvement practices across the engineering community.
o Enable effective transfer of innovation from concept through to delivery.

Technical Community and Capability Leadership
o Lead and inspire the Group engineering community fostering a culture of professionalism collaboration and excellence.
o Build and sustain an engaged and productive technical community of interest.
o Strengthen engineering leadership capability at all levels of the organisation.

External Engagement and Influence
o Act as a visible external ambassador for QinetiQ engineering capability.
o Build strategic partnerships across industry academia and government.
o Leverage external best practice to continuously enhance engineering performance and relevance.

Key Accountabilities

Overall accountability for the consistency efficiency and effectiveness of technical/ engineering QinetiQ Group - specific KPIs include:
Delivery of a clear actionable Engineering and Science Strategy for the Group
Measurable improvement in programme delivery performance (cost schedule quality)
Increased right-first-time delivery and reduction in rework across programmes
Adoption and impact of modern engineering frameworks and toolsets
Contribution of engineering to business growth win rate and customer satisfaction
Simplification and effectiveness of engineering governance and assurance
Engagement capability and retention of the engineering workforce

Key Capabilities/Knowledge

Strategic Leadership: Ability to shape and deliver enterprise-wide engineering transformation.
Executive Influence: Credibility and presence to influence and challenge at Board and Executive level.
Technical Credibility: Deep engineering or scientific background with recognised professional standing.
Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of how engineering drives business performance and competitive advantage.
Transformation Expertise: Proven ability to lead large-scale organisational and operating model change.
Systems Thinking: Ability to connect engineering technology operations and commercial outcomes.
Collaboration and Influence: Highly effective at working across organisational and external boundaries.
People Leadership: Track record of building high-performing teams and long-term capability.

Experience & Qualifications

Proven experience operating at senior leadership level within a complex engineering-led organisation
Track record of delivering enterprise-wide engineering or technology transformation
Experience leading global functions and influencing across geographic and organisational boundaries
Strong external reputation for technical and/or programme excellence
Experience in regulated safety-critical or high-assurance environments
Extensive multi-disciplinary engineering experience
Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional recognition)
International experience working with global stakeholders and customers

Why Join QinetiQ

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world theres never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee youll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork and pulling together youll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives blend disciplines and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance
• Competitive holiday allowance with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance Travel Insurance Restaurants Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

Please note that applications are reviewed as they are received so we encourage early applications. This vacancy will be closed when sufficient suitable applications are received.

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - ()