Head of Engineering

Company Profile

Location: Waterbeach, UK

Department: Engineering

Reports to: Director of Operations & Technology

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Company Profile

Thermoteknix Systems Ltd, founded in 1982 and based in Cambridge, is a world leader in thermal imaging, night vision, and augmented reality systems. Our award-winning technologies are trusted by defence, security, and industrial customers in over 70 countries. With in-house R&D, cutting-edge innovation, and a global reputation for quality, we design and manufacture solutions that perform in the toughest environments.

Engineering Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop the Engineering function, promoting a high-performing, accountable and collaborative culture based on ownership, urgency, technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Directly manage the managers responsible for Electronics, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Project & Programme Management, and Innovation, setting clear objectives and holding them accountable for delivery, quality, resources and team performance.
• Develop the engineering management team through coaching, constructive challenge and succession planning, supporting managers in resolving significant technical, people and delivery issues.
• Ensure that the engineering departments operate as one integrated function, with clear responsibilities, effective interfaces and strong communication, coordination and ownership across disciplines.
• Lead regular engineering management reviews covering programme status, resource requirements, technical risks, departmental priorities and key decisions.

Engineering Delivery & Technical Excellence

• Take overall responsibility for engineering delivery across multiple concurrent development programmes, working closely with the Project & Programme Manager to ensure that projects are properly planned, resourced and prioritised, risks and bottlenecks are addressed, and agreed timescales are met.
• Maintain high standards of engineering design, technical documentation, verification and design review.
• Lead new product development from concept through prototyping, qualification and production, incorporating manufacturability, reliability, cost, quality and supply-chain considerations from the outset and working with Production and Operations to ensure effective transfer into manufacture.
• Support major customer programmes, tenders and technical discussions where senior engineering input is required.
• Drive engineering productivity through simplification, automation and AI-assisted development.

Strategic Leadership & Business Alignment

• Work in close partnership with the Director of Operations & Technology to align engineering priorities with wider business objectives, review performance, programme delivery, resource capacity, capability and technical risk, and agree appropriate actions on recruitment, investment and material issues.
• Collaborate with the senior leadership team, Chief Scientist, and Product Manager to develop technology and engineering roadmaps aligned with business priorities.

• A strong engineering or technical background, supported by a degree in Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, including managing engineering managers and senior technical staff.
• A proven track record of delivering complex hardware and software products from development into manufacture.
• Strong skills in programme delivery, resource allocation and priority management, with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent development programmes.
• Good commercial awareness and a clear understanding of how engineering decisions affect cost, schedule, quality and product performance.
• Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
• The ability to operate effectively at both strategic and detailed technical levels.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operations & Technology, the Head of Engineering will have responsibility for the leadership, performance and delivery of the Engineering function at Thermoteknix.

This senior leadership role leads a multidisciplinary engineering organisation spanning electronics engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, production engineering, project and programme management, and innovation. The Head of Engineering will ensure that programmes are delivered effectively, technical standards remain high, resources are deployed appropriately and teams work efficiently across disciplines.

Success in the role requires a strong engineering background combined with excellent people leadership, organisational capability and commercial judgement. The Head of Engineering will create an environment that balances innovation and technical excellence with delivery, manufacturability, reliability, cost, quality and schedule. The Head of Engineering will work in close partnership with the Technology & Operations Director to align engineering strategy with wider business and operational priorities.

• Involvement in cutting-edge imaging technologies.
• Collaborative working environment with strong technical expertise.
• Training and career development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.