Project Engineer - Physical Architecture Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Project Engineer to serve as the Physical Architecture Lead within our Special Projects Team based in Ampthill, Bedfordshire. This vital position involves steering a sophisticated engineering initiative that underpins some of the UK's cutting-edge defense systems.

This role demands a practical approach, taking ownership throughout the entire engineering lifecycle—beginning with refining technical requirements, advancing design solutions, and culminating in integration, testing, and final delivery. The lead will supervise a primarily Mechanical, Electrical, and Integration & Test team, focusing on physical architecture management, ideally from a mechanical design perspective.

Operating within a multidisciplinary Integrated Project Team (IPT), the individual will collaborate closely with engineers, project leaders, and significant stakeholders to ensure projects meet deadlines, stay within scope, and uphold superior quality standards.

Reporting directly to the Chief Engineer, the Physical Architecture Lead will balance mechanical design expertise with the coordination and management of other skills essential for fully realizing the physical architecture of the systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Physical Architecture for assigned projects ensuring compliance with technical, safety, and quality criteria.
• Interpret and define technical prerequisites, transforming client requirements into durable engineering solutions.
• Create and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including drawings, specifications, and testing plans.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary groups—systems, mechanical, materials, electrical, and integration and test engineers—to guarantee design integrity and successful system integration.
• Offer technical support throughout build, commissioning, and operational service stages.
• Drive continual enhancements in engineering methodologies, tooling, and best practice applications.
• Ensure all engineering operations adhere to Defence Standards, quality assurance systems, and health and safety legislation.
• Assist the Project Chief Engineer with delegated engineering tasks and investigative activities.
• Support Programme Engineering Manager and Project Chief Engineer with technical planning, progress updates, and risk oversight.
• Lead and participate in design reviews, validation, verification, and configuration management tasks.
• Communicate effectively with project leads, suppliers, and internal parties to maintain seamless technical exchanges.

Qualifications and Experience

• Mechanical design is the primary focus, with the necessity to coordinate and oversee other competencies to deliver complete physical system architecture.
• Preferably possesses a background in automotive or heavy vehicle engineering with demonstrated management capabilities.
• Experience in progressing system architecture toward design solutions, successfully navigating Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) phases aligned to customer requirements.
• Familiarity with heavy military vehicles (such as lorries and large armoured welded structures), emphasizing mechanical design over small mechanisms.
• Holds an accredited degree or equivalent education combined with relevant professional experience and specialized training appropriate to the role.

Additional Information

A vital criterion for this position is the ability to obtain and maintain a high-level security clearance; support will be provided for clearance acquisition if not already held.