Head of Engineering (SFIA 6)

The Mission

Club JURA is Zaizi’s dedicated club for Defence. We are looking for a heavyweight Head of Engineering to lead our technical mission. You will lead the technical mission, ensuring our solutions are architected with the holistic rigour of systems engineering while providing high-level technical oversight for modern, cloud-native software delivery.

Reporting to the Club Exec, you will be the technical linchpin of Club JURA, translating high-level mission objectives into rigorous engineering roadmaps, while providing the data-backed assurance and performance reporting necessary to de-risk our most complex sovereign programmes.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• System Design Authority (SDA): Act as the ultimate technical authority for Club JURA. You will own the architectural integrity of the "System of Systems," providing overwatching of design, integration, and test (I&T) technical oversight across both hardware-software interfaces and pure software platforms.
• Standards & Compliance: Own the application of established standards from ISO 15288 to Def-Stan 00-55 / IEC 61508. You will provide the engineering oversight and process rigour required to enhance quality in high-security and safety-critical domains.
• Software Oversight: While focussed on the system, you will provide technical oversight for software engineering teams. You’ll ensure that modern software practices (Agile, DevSecOps, CI/CD) are harmonised with the overall system V-lifecycle and safety requirements.
• Performance & Board Reporting: Establish and track KPIs for engineering performance. You will provide the Club Exec and Zaizi Board with transparent, data-driven reporting on technical risk, system maturity, and delivery health.
• Team Shaping & Governance: Recruit, mentor, and lead elite engineering teams. You will mentor engineers in "systems thinking" to help them influence and shape complex customer problems. You will instill the V-Model lifecycle across the club while maintaining the agility of DevSecOps and cloud-native delivery.
• Bid & Solution Strategy: Lead the technical strategy for major defence tenders. You will translate complex MoD requirements into robust, high-confidence estimates and architectural blueprints that navigate the nuances of commercial frameworks (e.g., DSP). You will use your experience across multiple defence domains to ensure our bids are technically sound, commercially viable, and compliant with relevant standards.
• Intelligent Problem Solving: Where applicable, identify and architect AI-driven solutions for complex defence challenges. You will ensure that AI and Machine Learning are integrated into systems engineering to solve specific mission problems—such as predictive maintenance or autonomous ISTAR—ensuring they are fit for purpose and operationally sound.
• Internal Collaboration: Work with our in-house AI team and provide practical, frontline-focused input to help shape internal IRAD, ensuring our research has real-world utility in contested environments.

Requirements;

• Security: Active UK Security Clearance (SC and above) is mandatory.
• Systems Mastery: Deep expertise in the V-Model and systems-of-systems thinking. You are well-versed in the application of ISO 15288, IEC 61508, and are familiar with AI risk frameworks like ISO/IEC 23894 where applicable.
• Technical Breadth: A strong systems engineering core with significant hands-on experience in IT, Data, and Cloud (AWS/Azure). You understand the "Silicon" as well as the "System."
• Commercial Intelligence: Significant experience across multiple defence domains with a thorough understanding of relevant commercial frameworks, DEFCONs, and MoD technical standards.

C-Suite Gravitas: The ability to navigate between technical specialists and senior stakeholders, translating complex technical and safety risks into clear strategic and commercial choices.

Benefits

If you don’t meet all the requirements?

Studies show that women and black, Asian and minority ethnic people are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we’d love you to still apply. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role here at Zaizi.

We actively welcome applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

If you need any accommodations to support your specific situation, please feel free to let us know. For candidates who are neurodiverse or have disabilities, we are happy to make any adjustments needed throughout the interview process—just ask!

Salaries - £90,000 - £115,000

SC Clearance:

Zaizi works with UK Central Government departments on a range of projects. To be able to work on our customer projects, employees must be Security Cleared to a standard acceptable to our Government customers. Due to this restriction we can currently only recruit candidates who have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship and who have lived in the UK for the last 5+ years continuously.

Benefits

Compensation

• Competitive Pay: Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
• Loyalty Pension: We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a  maximum of 8% .
• Protection: Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.

Purpose & Culture

• Real Impact: Work on mission-critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
• Autonomy: A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
• Service & Community: We support those who serve. 10 paid days for Reservist Military Service.

Work / Life Balance

• Time Off:  25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
• Giving back: 2 paid volunteering days per year.

Development & Growth

• Master Your Craft: Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave .
• Expand Your Horizons: An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you—work-related or not.
• Support: Access to 1-2-1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.

Health & Balance

• Premium Health: Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
• Flexibility: Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.

• Wellbeing: Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.