Location: Rochester (5 days onsite)
Contract length: 12 months
Rate: £65.00/hr PAYE or £87.83/hr Umbrella
Clearance: BPSS + SC in progress (or eligible)
The role
We're recruiting for a Hardware Team Leader to join a leading organisation in the Defence & Security sector. You'll lead a team of experienced hardware engineers supporting production programmes across safety‑critical products such as Helmet Mounted & Head-Up Displays, Mission Computers, Flight Controls, Active Inceptors, and associated technologies.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you'll provide both technical direction and people leadership, ensuring delivery against programme demand, governance, and performance targets.
Key responsibilities
Lead and manage an electronics/hardware engineering team (technical + people leadership)
Own work packages: cost, schedule, risk and opportunities
Ensure the engineering team meets production programme demand and priorities
Provide technical governance and drive adherence to internal engineering processes
Lead cost vs performance trade-offs and continuous improvement activity
Drive failure reduction and improvements in reliability (incl. MDBF focus)
Essential experience / skills
Proven leadership of engineering teams across a full product development lifecycle
Strong understanding of product design and work package control
Experience with cost and planning management tools
Track record of optimising solutions and managing dependencies effectively
Continuous improvement mindset (working practices, capability development)
Root-cause approach to improving performance and reducing failures / increasing MDBF
Experience supporting production programmes in a structured engineering environment
Desirable
PLD / FPGA design experience
Requirements tools (e.g. DOORS)
Work package / project tools (e.g. MSP, JIRA)
What we're looking for
Confident communicator who can lead technical discussions with stakeholders and customers
Able to coach, guide and get the best from a mixed-discipline team
Comfortable presenting at senior/customer reviews
Collaborative approach across engineering disciplines
Apply
If you're an experienced Hardware Team Leader looking for a long-term onsite contract in a safety-critical, high-assurance environment, apply today
Salary description
£87.83 - £87.83 per hour