Head of Systems Engineering

Head of Systems Engineering

Galway, Co. Galway | Permanent | Onsite / Hybrid

We are working with an innovative advanced technology organisation to recruit a Head of Systems Engineering to lead and scale its Systems Engineering function.

This is a senior technical and organisational leadership role, responsible for establishing the systems engineering frameworks, requirements management, integration and lifecycle processes required to transition complex prototypes into fully qualified, high-reliability products.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and scale systems engineering processes, requirements management and change-control frameworks.

• Establish lifecycle controls aligned with recognised aerospace and space industry standards.

• Lead requirements architecture, flow-down, verification and validation across complex systems.

• Develop robust risk management, interface control and configuration management processes.

• Lead systems integration activities through assembly, testing and qualification.

• Act as technical authority for complex multi-system integration issues and anomalies.

• Establish and maintain systems engineering standards, methodologies and best practices.

• Build, mentor and lead a high-performing Systems Engineering team.

• Establish clear technical development and career progression pathways.

• Work closely with R&D, architecture, manufacturing and production teams to support Design for Excellence and transition into production.

• Provide technical leadership across complex, multidisciplinary hardware development programmes.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ industry experience in Systems Engineering, ideally with delivered aerospace, space or other high-reliability hardware.

• Strong practical experience applying recognised aerospace/space standards and engineering processes.

• Proven experience delivering and integrating complex multidisciplinary systems.

• Experience building scalable systems engineering infrastructure, requirements frameworks and interface documentation.

• Strong understanding of verification, validation, configuration and lifecycle management.

• Proven ability to lead, develop and mentor engineering teams.

• Strong technical authority combined with practical operational and project execution skills.

Desirable

• Experience with satellite integration and environmental testing, including thermal vacuum, vibration and EMI/EMC.

• Background in electro-optics, photonics, Free Space Optics or high-speed hardware.

• Knowledge of radiation-hardened components, qualification and derating.

• Experience within ISO 9001 or AS9100 quality environments.

• Commercial experience supporting bids, technical proposals or customer/sponsor reviews.

What’s on Offer

• Senior leadership opportunity within an innovative advanced technology organisation.

• Opportunity to build and shape a Systems Engineering function from the ground up.

• Significant influence across product architecture, integration, qualification and manufacturing.

• Work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Exposure to complex, high-reliability technology programmes.

• Flexible working arrangements and comprehensive benefits.

• Strong opportunity for technical and leadership development.

Apply now to discuss this opportunity in confidence.