Chief Programme Engineer – Fixed Wing

Posted:
7/14/2026, 12:32:50 AM

Location(s):
Bristol, England, United Kingdom ⋅ England, United Kingdom

Experience Level(s):
Expert or higher ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
Product

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

Pay:
$160k–$191k/yr

Chief Programme Engineer – Fixed Wing

Company:

Boeing Defence United Kingdom Limited

Job Description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place.  From the seabed to outer space, you can contribute to work that matters with a company where diversity, equity and inclusion are shared values.  We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth.  Find your future with us.

Introduction:

Boeing Defence United Kingdom (BDUK) is recruiting for a Chief Programme Engineer for the UK Fixed Wing Business Unit Strategy and Growth programmes, reporting to the BDUK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer.  The Chief Programme Engineer will hold accountabilities and responsibilities across the product/service lifecycle for a selection of Strategic and Growth programmes in the Fixed Wing domain, with delegations from the Engineering Director and Fixed Wing Chief Engineer.

We are looking for an experienced technical leader with an evidential background in both aircraft design, qualification and certification, and in sustaining aircraft capability in-service.  Experience of the in-service support of military aircraft or the civil Boeing 737 is preferred.  Applicants should have demonstrable experience in interacting and when necessary leading multi-disciplined engineering teams driving safety, ensuring technical excellence, and collaborating across business units, both in the UK and internationally.  Additionally, the successful candidate will be required to assist in the development of technical strategies to aid business growth and provide technical input, oversight and governance around future technical proposals.

While we work in agile and dynamic engineering environments, your wellbeing is important to us and we strive to find a healthy life balance and ethical team culture with a strong emphasis on openness, collaboration, innovation, safety, and first-time quality.  This role can be based at BDUK sites in the south of England and provides opportunity for hybrid working subject to programme requirements.  Regular travel to multiple BDUK and Customer sites will be expected, with periodic international travel.

Key Responsibilities Include:

  • Support the UK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer in definition and stakeholder awareness/governance of the Fixed Wing Engineering strategy.
  • Hold responsibility for engineering programmes of work related to strategic/growth objectives, of which a number are in the early gates of the Enterprise Standard Gated Process related to P-8, E-7 and the T-7 product and services including:
    • Participate in the U.K. investment fund allocation and governance process, where relevant creating business cases in support of securing funding.
    • The provision of technical leadership and coordination of employees performing engineering and integration activities to deliver programme objectives.
    • The development and execution of project and process plans, the implementation of policies and procedures, and the establishment of operational goals in concert with the relevant Fixed Wing Programme Managers.
    • Execution of solution engineering and integration through effective resource allocation and leadership.
    • The chairing of engineering reviews including those relating to requirements, design, safety (Product and Service), and programme readiness.
    • Coordination and interaction with engineering departments to establish demand and availability of resources for delivery of engineering activity.
    • Support the coordination of technical management of suppliers and provide overarching governance in concert with the supplier management function.
    • The development and maintenance of relationships and partnerships with customers, worldwide business groups, and other key stakeholders.
    • Support the management of technical scope against established budget including periodic reporting of progress to target.
    • Participate in solution development for new business and provide governance and oversight to proposal development activity.

  • Ensure and assure all Products and Services delivered from the BDUK Fixed Wing Strategy and Growth portfolio under delegation from the Engineering Director for Chief Programme Engineer PRO-6924.  
  • Drive engineering functional excellence in people, processes, tools, and practices for activity across the Fixed Wing Strategy and Growth portfolio; facilitating productivity improvements and the sharing of best practices and lessons learned across the wider BDUK portfolio.
  • Support and champion a culture that is highly focussed on Product and Service safety together with first time quality across all engineering activities.
  • Assist the UK Fixed Wing Chief Engineer, including deputising when necessary, in support of business unit and engineering functional reporting/interfacing.

Essential Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Degree from an accredited course of study, in aerospace or safety critical engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry.
  • Extensive experience managing or leading teams in multi-disciplined matrix organisations (ideally with a global working aspect).
  • Extensive experience working in a highly regulated safety critical engineering environment.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

  • Broad knowledge of both Type and Continuing Airworthiness in UK military aircraft.
  • Broad knowledge of the certification of UK military aircraft, their design changes and modifications.
  • Demonstrated capability to develop and sell business cases, influence stakeholders at all levels, establish teams and execute programmes of work to quality, budget and schedule.
  • Broad knowledge of the UK Defence Aviation Environment and its processes and policies.
  • Proven record in delivering complex engineering change programs in military aircraft.
  • Evidential experience of through-life aircraft sustainment and post design services.
  • Experience in interacting and guiding cross-functional engineering teams.
  • Good analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills
  • Comfortable in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
  • Ability to provide an effective bridge between customers, the programme, and the BDUK and international engineering departments.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
  • A true people partner, with matrix experience in a global environment.
  • Preferably with a chartership from a relevant Institute.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills, with an ability to manage competing demands.
  • Practical experience in managing complex project or bid budgets, particularly geared around balancing the cost of delivery with technical excellence.

Work Authorisation:

This requisition is for a locally hired position in the UK. Candidates must have current legal authorisation to work immediately in the United Kingdom. Boeing will not attempt to obtain Immigration and labour sponsorship for any applicants. Benefits and pay are determined at the local level and are not part of Boeing U.S. based payroll.

Security Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain a UK security clearance for which the Government requires UK Citizenship.

Relocation:

This position does not offer relocation. Candidates must live in the immediate

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Not Applicable

Relocation:

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires the ability to obtain United Kingdom Security Check.

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Not a Shift Worker (United Kingdom)