Head of Function (Systems)

Overview The Head of Function (Systems / Software) is a senior technical authority for the discipline within Expleo’s marine engineering environment. The role is accountable for technical governance, delivery assurance, and capability development, acting as the primary technical escalation point below Chief Engineer. Operating in a high-assurance, safety-critical context, the role ensures systems or software delivery is technically robust, compliant, and supported by appropriate capability, standards, and lifecycle practice. Systems: Minimum INCOSE Lead Practitioner, with Expert capability preferred in technical authority areas. Software: Aligned to SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence), reflecting function-level authority across software engineering capability, governance, and delivery. Responsibilities Provide technical authority across projects and bids, approving key technical outputs, plans, and estimates. Act as escalation point for technical risk, quality, and engineering integrity issues. Assure compliance with relevant standards, legislation, and engineering governance. Conduct and oversee technical reviews and audits in line with project quality plans. Intervene where technical risk exists, including stopping work on technical grounds. Ensure projects are resourced with appropriately SQEP engineers. Lead and develop Engineering Team Leads (ETLs) and Team Leads (TLs), ensuring strong technical input to appraisals and development planning. Drive continuous improvement in engineering practice and capability maturity. Qualifications Essential Degree in a relevant engineering or computing discipline. Significant experience in senior technical leadership, technical authority, or architecture roles. Experience in complex, safety-critical, regulated environments (marine, defence, or equivalent). Strong lifecycle knowledge (requirements, architecture, integration, V&V, quality). Preferred Chartered Engineer (or equivalent). INCOSE CSEP (Systems); ESEP-aligned capability preferred. Experience in safety-critical software, secure systems, or model-based engineering. Essential skills Systems (INCOSE-aligned) Requirements definition and management System architecture and trade studies Integration, interfaces, V&V Technical leadership and mentoring Software (SFIA-aligned – Level 6) Demonstrable authority across core SFIA software skills, including: Architecture (ARCH) Requirements (REQM) Design (DESN) Integration & build (SINT) Testing & quality (TEST / NFTS) Configuration & change (CFMG) Lifecycle engineering (SLEN) At SFIA Level 6, the role sets technical direction, influences across programmes, and assures delivery through governance rather than direct execution. Desired skills Strong technical authority in systems or software engineering within complex, safety-critical environments Ability to provide independent technical challenge, governance, and decision-making across multiple programmes Deep understanding of engineering lifecycles (requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification & validation, in-service support) Proven capability in technical review, assurance, and audit of engineering outputs and plans Strong risk, quality, and compliance mindset in regulated environments Ability to set technical direction and influence delivery without direct control (matrix environment) Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication, including senior client and internal leadership interaction Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with ability to develop senior technical leaders Experience driving continuous improvement in engineering processes, standards, and tools Experience Significant experience in a senior technical leadership or technical authority role (e.g. Head of Function, Chief/Lead Architect, Technical Authority) Experience working in complex, safety-critical, and regulated environments (e.g. marine, defence, aerospace, nuclear, rail) Demonstrated track record of approving engineering solutions and assuring delivery across multiple projects or programmes Experience acting as a technical escalation point for delivery, quality, and risk issues Proven experience in technical governance, including design reviews, audits, and compliance assessments Experience leading or influencing multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a matrix organisation Demonstrated ability to develop engineering capability, including mentoring senior engineers and improving SQEP coverage Experience ensuring projects are correctly resourced with appropriate technical capability Systems-specific experience Extensive experience applying systems engineering lifecycle processes in complex programmes Experience in system architecture definition, integration challenges, and V&V strategy Evidence of operating at INCOSE Lead Practitioner level or equivalent, with experience guiding others and resolving complex technical issues Experience contributing to or aligning with safety cases, regulatory frameworks, and assurance activities Software-specific experience Extensive experience in software engineering leadership or architecture roles Experience operating at SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence) or equivalent level of responsibility, including: Setting technical direction across projects Influencing engineering decisions across teams Governing software lifecycle practice and standards Experience in safety-critical or high-assurance software development, including quality, security, and compliance considerations Experience implementing or improving software engineering processes, assurance frameworks, and tooling Strong background in architecture, integration, testing, and lifecycle governance within complex systems Benefits Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses Competitive company benefits Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to: Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible Communicating and promoting vacancies Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people “We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive