Engineering Team Lead

Company: Akkodis – Bristol, Hybrid 3-4 days onsite

Overview

The Practice Lead for V&V is a hands-on technical leader responsible for delivering complex engineering work packages across the full systems engineering lifecycle. They provide authority in design, integration, and testing, ensuring rigorous application of methods, models, and best practices. The role covers digital twin simulation, mathematical modelling, CAD/FEA analysis, and system-level integration, with expertise in firmware, avionics, and EV systems testing. The Practice Lead mentors teams, engages with stakeholders, and balances technical excellence with commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams, including line management activities such as annual reviews, performance management, career progression, team satisfaction, and bench management.
• Oversee recruitment, induction, and onboarding to ensure smooth integration, early engagement, and long-term retention of technical experts.
• Drive continuous skills management and professional development, building career pathways, training programmes, and upskilling initiatives.
• Lead the delivery of Verification & Validation (V&V) work packages with accountability for scope, schedule, cost, and quality.
• Provide technical leadership in V&V across the lifecycle: requirements capture, system architecture, integration, software/hardware testing, compliance, and risk management.
• Define resource and skill requirements from bid through delivery, scoping and approving technical bids—including estimates, WBS, and PBS.
• Oversee and evolve test strategies and methodologies, including digital twin simulation, modelling, CAD/FEA analysis, and system integration testing.
• Deliver specialist capability in areas such as EV systems testing, avionics verification, firmware validation, and simulation-led engineering.
• Contribute to engineering activities, including design reviews, test campaigns, compliance documentation, and client-facing governance.
• Collaborate with Programme Managers, PMO, and Business Managers to align technical delivery with strategic objectives and support business development through solution design, proposals, and technical presentations.
• Develop, codify, and represent best-practice frameworks to keep Akkodis at the forefront of V&V excellence within aerospace and the wider engineering community.

Required Experience

• Extensive experience delivering V&V projects in aerospace or defence, preferably in a regulated environment.
• Hands-on experience across the end-to-end V&V model; MBSE experience is advantageous but not essential.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams in a client-facing role.
• Strong background in requirements engineering, system architecture, integration, and compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage delivery work packages, budgets, and schedules within commercial frameworks.
• Previous experience engaging with aerospace OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers (e.g., Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo, or equivalent).

Required Skills

• Deep technical expertise in V&V.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client engagement skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Required Education

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards is desirable.
• Relevant training in systems engineering standards (e.g., INCOSE, DOORS, ARP4754, DO-178/254) is advantageous.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering, Management, and Strategy/Planning
• Industries: Engineering Services, Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing, and Defense and Space Manufacturing