Chief Engineer

Hailsham
1 week ago
Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Test and Testability

Test and Testability Expert

Group EHS Manager

NDT Technician

Chief Engineer
Location: Hailsham
Industry: Advanced Materials / Aerospace / Defence / Engineering
Salary: Competitive, permanent role
An established international organisation specialising in advanced materials and precision process engineering is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead its technical function. The business focuses on advanced equipment design, and R&D activities that support aerospace, defence, and high-performance engineering sectors. The company name will not be disclosed.
This position provides technical leadership across engineering design, process development, and product delivery. It requires a blend of hands-on expertise and strategic direction, ensuring complex systems and equipment meet performance, reliability, and cost targets. The role reports to the Operations Manager and offers responsibility for shaping capability, mentoring multidisciplinary teams, and guiding technology from concept through to customer deployment.
Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the engineering function, setting technical direction and supporting multidisciplinary teams
  • Oversee design activities with full responsibility for technical governance and design processes
  • Deliver engineering projects on schedule, within budget, and to defined quality and regulatory standards
  • Work closely with R&D to progress new technologies from prototype to market-ready products
  • Manage engineering resources, facilities, workflows, and capability development
  • Support strategic planning, including new technology and business opportunities
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards, safety requirements, and quality systems
    Qualifications and Experience
  • Master’s degree in engineering; additional background in metallurgy or physics is advantageous
  • Significant leadership experience in advanced manufacturing, materials engineering, or process-equipment environments
  • Proven record of managing complex engineering or R&D programmes in aerospace, defence, or similar sectors
  • Strong capability in system design, process development, and equipment integration
  • Effective leadership, communication, and team-management skills
  • Ability to combine hands-on engineering knowledge with strategic decision-making
    Additional Information
    Based on site in Hailsham, with occasional UK and overseas travel , On-site role due to operational and security requirements
    Full UK driving licence needed
    Working week: 37.5 hours
    Holiday entitlement: 25 days plus bank holidays
    Contract: Permanent
    TPA Recruit is a specialist recruitment agency acting on behalf of our client to source and assess suitable candidates for this position. All applications will be reviewed and processed by our team, who will liaise directly with shortlisted individuals throughout the hiring process

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Education Jobs

Maths for Materials Science Jobs: The Only Topics You Actually Need (& How to Learn Them)

If you are applying for materials science jobs in the UK, maths can feel like a hidden barrier. Job ads might mention “strong analytical skills” or “ability to interpret data” without saying what that actually means on the job. Here’s the reality: most materials roles do not require advanced pure maths. What they do require is confidence with a small set of practical topics that show up repeatedly in: mechanical testing & failure analysis processing & heat treatment phase diagrams & alloy design diffusion, corrosion & degradation characterisation data interpretation quality, metrology, validation & uncertainty materials selection & design trade-offs This guide focuses on the only maths topics most materials professionals keep using, plus a 6-week learning plan, portfolio projects & resources.

Jobs

Neurodiversity in Materials Science Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Materials science is everywhere – in batteries, semiconductors, medical implants, composites for aircraft, sustainable packaging & more. It’s a field built on curiosity, experimentation, precision & the ability to link microscopic structure to real-world performance. In other words, it’s a brilliant match for many neurodivergent brains. If you’re living with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you may have been told that your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too chaotic” for a scientific career. In reality, many of the traits that made school or traditional office work difficult can be serious assets in materials science & engineering. This guide is written for UK job seekers exploring materials science careers. We’ll look at: What neurodiversity means in a materials science context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map to materials roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you might thrive in materials science – & how to turn “different thinking” into a genuine superpower.

Jobs

Materials Science Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we move into 2026, the materials science jobs market in the UK is becoming more strategic and more selective. Advanced manufacturing, batteries, hydrogen, semiconductors, fusion, net-zero infrastructure and sustainable textiles all depend on advanced materials – and the UK has made these areas a national priority. Business Growth Service +1 At the same time, funding cycles are bumpy, some legacy plants are struggling with energy costs and global competition, and employers are under pressure to hit both climate and productivity targets. That means fewer “nice-to-have” R&D roles and more focus on materials science positions that clearly support growth, decarbonisation and resilience. Whether you are a materials science job seeker planning your next move, or a recruiter building teams in advanced manufacturing, this guide breaks down the key materials science hiring trends for 2026.

🍪 We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy. You can review our Cookie Policy for more information.