Jobs in Upper Ifield

Job Title: Mechanical Team Leader

Location: Rochester – Onsite (We may be able to offer a relocation package for this role)

Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

The Mechanical Team Leader will quickly gain a robust understanding of the products in their specialisation group, including development, integration and operation, and will direct the team of Engineers in the group to ensure past successful product knowledge is utilised, future schemes are fit for purpose, practical solutions are achieved, and technical risks are understood and managed. They will provide project management oversight to the team, ensuring that projects are estimated, tracked and executed correctly and that appropriate processes and procedures are used.

Core duties:

Prepare and present Mechanical Development Plans, Design Scheme Data Packs and other engineering detail for internal review, and in a customer forum

Peer check work of other mechanical engineers, which will include designs, design data, hand calculations and technical reports

Chair design review panels at functional and project levels, in both; internal and customer facing contexts

Prepare project plans, direct a team in their implementation, and monitor and report progress and spend against agreed budgets

Devise and maintain resource plans and manage allocation of Mechanical Engineering resources to meet project demands

Prepare estimates in support of new bids, and support the generation of proposals and documentation

Coordinate and Conduct Performance and Development Reviews, and provide input to Salary Reviews for the Mechanical Engineering Team

Understand and provide governance on the adherence of Mechanical Team members, and associated Project Teams, to departmental and company policies and procedures

Essential Skills:

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of other qualifications and experience

A proven track record of product development from concept through to production, within an engineering environment

Previous team leading and/or project management experience

Competence in the use of CAD tools to prepare design models, ideally the CREO CAD system, and experience using TeamCenter, DOORs and JIRA, would all be advantageous

Experience related to areas including avionic systems, optical displays, mechatronics, electronics packaging, anthropometrics, design with composites, additive layer manufacture and test and measurement equipment, will be of value in this role

The Mechanical Engineering Design team:

The Mechanical Engineering Design team operates in a number of roles across the business – primarily supporting the development of new products by providing design and analysis services to all of the products in development across site, including head worn and cockpit display systems, flight controls, and active inceptor programmes. In addition to this, they play a vital role in supporting our internal production, and external customers, in producing, using and maintaining the equipment in service.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

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.

Closing Date: 9th October 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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