Chief Engineer- ISR

Chief Engineer- ISR

Vacancy Reference: CLA- 407

Position: Full-time

Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

Salary: £85,000 + DOE

At Callen-Lenz, we are expanding the limits of what is possible. We specialise in crewed and uncrewed aircraft operations and technology and having recently received investment into the business we are going through a period of rapid growth and development and are looking for key roles to assist with these changes. Callen-Lenz offers innovative and customer-focused UAS solutions through our 4 key business strands: technical services, products, platforms and operational services. We are looking for individuals to help drive forward our expansion, placing you at forefront of UAS development in the UK.

Our Values

• Innovation
• Integrity
• Collaboration
• Excellence

Why Work for Us

Based in the heart of rural Wiltshire, close to the Historic city of Salisbury you will join our rapidly growing, friendly and multi-disciplined team, working on a range of diverse and interesting projects, leading the way in this exciting field and witnessing the full lifecycle of our products. The Callen-Lenz team are passionate about what we do, and we are searching for individuals to grow with us as we expand into the aerospace industry.

Our benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave per year (plus bank holidays)
• Buy/Sell holiday policy up to 5 days either way
• Pension Scheme via Royal London
• Company contributed Share Incentive Plan.
• Green Car Scheme
• Life assurance scheme (6x basic salary)
• Income protection policy (75% of basic salary)
• Private Health Insurance via Vitality
• Private Dental insurance via Bupa
• Enhanced Maternity and paternity
• 1 Professional membership reimbursed per year
• 1 paid volunteering day per year
• Access to an independent financial advisor year round
• Training & development opportunities

About the role

Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will shape the technical direction and oversee engineering execution while architecting end-to-end solutions that meet customer mission requirements, regulatory standards, and operational constraints. This role blends systems‑level architectural leadership, UAS domain expertise, and forward‑leaning technical engagement with external stakeholders, ensuring customer needs are translated into coherent, mission‑ready solutions.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Translate user needs, mission requirements, con-ops & operational doctrine into system-level technical direction and requirements for UAS solutions.
• Lead the technical engagement for scoping and delivery with customers and business development teams.
• Align and prioritise technical roadmaps with strategic goals set by the ISR and Engineering Directors.
• Define, communicate, and govern a coherent technical strategy for the business stream.
• Define and oversee product, system & solution architecture from inception to disposal. Including; across airframes, avionics, payloads, ground control systems and support solutions.
• Ensure engineering solutions meet performance, reliability, and compliance standards.
• Arbitrate high‑level product design trades.
• Define and support release of cross‑functional engineering deliverables from concept through to deployment.
• Provide delegated authority for critical engineering decisions and artefacts.
• Support the project leads to scope, sequence and prioritise project activities.
• Lead & chair design reviews, risk assessments, system validation activities and other technical governance.

Integration & Innovation

• Direct the selection and integration of sensors, payloads and onboard processing units, ensuring modularity and commonality across the portfolio.
• Direct the selection, development and integration of ancillaries, such as: launchers, ground control stations, logistics equipment and other supporting systems.
• Work with the engineering technology team to evaluate emerging technologies, for example, in navigation, propulsion, autonomy, payloads, and data processing.

Team Collaboration

• Coach engineers across mechanical, electrical, software, and systems disciplines.
• Foster collaboration between engineering, product, manufacturing, operations and support teams.
• Perform other related duties as required

Health and Safety

• Demonstrate in daily activities a commitment to health and safety in the workplace by always ensuring tasks are performed in the safest possible manner
• Report all hazards and incidents that the individual is party to, or observes, in the correct manner.
• When required or directed, participate in any health and safety training.

Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Degree in Aerospace, Electronics, Systems Engineering, or related field.

Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in UAS development, with strong focus on small UAS and solution architecture.
• Demonstrable experience in technical leadership, assurance and safety related decision making.
• Proven ability to architect complex systems that meet operational and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with aerospace design organisation and certification processes.
• Strong customer-facing experience in technical proposal development and solution design.
• Experience with UAS systems and BVLOS operations.

Desirable:

• Experience developing or influencing product roadmaps.
• Knowledge of AI/ML applications in data analysis.
• Background in defence or commercial ISR or OWE programmes.
• Strong customer-facing experience in technical proposal development and solution design.

Personal Attributes

• Must be a British Citizen or have an existing right to work in the UK
• Ability to commit to occasional national and international travel
• Ability to hold Security Clearance – 5 years residence in the UK

Callen-Lenz is an equal opportunities employer, committed to building an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. It is essential that the successful candidate must, by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks

#J-18808-Ljbffr