Deputy Chief Engineer
Full-time
Bicester, UK
Evolito’s mission is to accelerate the adoption of electric propulsion in aerospace applications in support of a net-zero world. We will help to revolutionise personal mobility and transform our towns and cities with clean, noise-free air transportation.
Evolito develops and manufactures class-leading, lightweight, high-power, and high-torque-density electric propulsion systems for a range of aerospace markets, including EVTOL, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and General Aviation.
As well as ultra-high performance, low-weight electric motors and controllers, Evolito specialises in high integrity, bespoke battery systems for the aerospace and defence markets. The team is scaling rapidly and has ambitious growth plans over the next twelve to eighteen months.
As part of our current high-growth phase, we are looking for a Deputy Chief Engineer to join us to be accountable for the technical leadership, governance and delivery of a portfolio of electric propulsion programmes, acting as the senior technical authority for assigned programmes and products under delegation from the Chief Engineer.
Reporting to our Chief Engineer, you will provide technical oversight across the full product lifecycle, from requirements and systems architecture through design, verification, validation, certification and industrialisation, ensuring engineering decisions are robust, risks are effectively managed and programme delivery meets technical, safety, regulatory and customer requirements. Working across multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will ensure technical integrity and maturity across assigned programmes, contribute to the development of Evolito’s technical strategy and Design Organisation, and deputise for the Chief Engineer when required.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Act as the delegated technical authority for assigned programmes and product lines, providing technical leadership and decision-making within agreed authority limits
- Lead technical delivery and governance across requirements, systems engineering, design, analysis, verification, validation, certification and industrialisation
- Ensure engineering decisions are evidence-based, appropriately substantiated and aligned with programme, safety and certification requirements
- Lead Project Lead Engineers and Technical Programme Managers to deliver programme objectives, customer commitments and key technical milestones
- Oversee technical maturity, requirements achievement, verification progress and risk reduction across assigned programmes
- Ensure technical decisions appropriately balance performance, safety, certification, manufacturability, cost and schedule
- Drive the timely resolution of cross-functional technical issues and escalate significant risks where required
- Provide oversight of certification, system safety, reliability and development assurance activities, ensuring appropriate compliance evidence is delivered
- Act as a senior technical focal point for customers and development partners, representing Evolito at technical reviews, workshops and governance meetings
- Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, certification authorities and other key stakeholders
- Support business development through technical engagement with prospective customers and partners
- Support the Chief Engineer in developing the Design Organisation, technical strategy and longer-term product roadmap
- Mentor and develop Project Lead Engineers and future technical leaders, supporting succession planning and engineering capability development
- Promote best practice and a culture of technical excellence, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Support the Chief Engineer with technical portfolio oversight, prioritisation and resource allocation, deputising and acting on their behalf when delegated.
Skills and experience required:
- A degree or equivalent experience in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering or a related engineering discipline
- Significant experience leading complex, multidisciplinary engineering programmes within aerospace or another highly regulated environment
- A strong track record of engineering capability within an electrical or mechanical discipline, combined with credible technical leadership experience
- Strong understanding of the full product development lifecycle, from requirements capture and system design through verification, validation, certification and entry into service
- Strong systems engineering knowledge, including requirements management, verification and validation, technical risk and development assurance
- Experience leading technical reviews, engineering governance and evidence-based technical decision-making
- Good knowledge of aerospace certification principles and relevant guidance, including ARP4754, ARP4761 and DO-160
- Experience working with customers, certification authorities, suppliers and senior stakeholders; experience within a Tier 1 environment would be advantageous
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance safety, performance, certification, cost and programme priorities
- Excellent leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge constructively, develop others and build effective relationships
- A proactive, accountable and flexible approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver effectively under pressure
- A passion for technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, with the energy and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, growing business
- A UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required.
Are you Evolito?