Senior Project Engineering Manager

1. Purpose of the Job

• Lead the technical delivery of one high profile or multiple complex work packages for Critical National Infrastructure in the Air Traffic Management domain. This encompasses a range of technologies, software applications, and hardware infrastructure used for managing and controlling air traffic, utilising advanced technologies such as virtualised platforms, machine learning, Artificial Intelligence. These systems handle tasks such as flight planning, communication, surveillance, navigation, managing Unmanned Air Systems, and weather information dissemination
• Co-ordinate the technical alignment and resource management for several work packages

2. Principal Accountabilities

• Apply systems engineering principles to define, plan and deliver the scope of activities within high profile or multiple complex work packages of a project, to achieve the required outcomes.
• Accountable for the quality and alignment of the outputs of assigned work packages
• Technical point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
• Accountable to the senior engineering lead for the technical delivery of the work packages managed by the job holder and the work packages within their project(s)

3. Dimensions

• The job holder will task manage a combined volume of work packages of up to 20 FTEs pa (equivalent to up to £2m pa of internal labour) plus technical management of up to £2m of external capital spend
• Note that the figures above are per annum - over the duration of a Regulatory Period (5 years), this role has indirect control of project spend typically in the region of up to £20m

4. Autonomy

• Ability to work autonomously
• The job holder will tailor and agree delivery processes to suit the complexity of the scope of work
• The job holder will be accountable that technical delivery plans for the scope of work are following agreed policies and processes,
• Provide assurance of the content of plans and work packages to project and programme managers and business stakeholders

5. Job Scope

• Responsible for managing and executing the scope of work, defining the activities for one or multiple work packages across one or multiple project(s)
• Ensure that the collection of work packages deliver a complete, coherent, sustainable and cost-effective solution to meet all stakeholder requirements
• Engage with resource managers to secure, and ensure early deconfliction of the resource required to deliver the scope of work
• Deliver the activities defined in the work package(s) to Cost, Quality and Timescale targets, while collaborating across multiple delivery functions and subject matter experts (e.g. Safety, Supply Chain)
• Can build, own and update technical delivery plans while providing challenge and recommendations that allow for an effective and achievable plan to be deliverable, managing dependencies throughout, and identifying the resource required to delivery the plan
• Ensure appropriate technical governance is tailored, applied and adhered to for the scope of work
• Follows best practice within the NATS' safety and service principles, adhering to engineering ethics
• Provides task management and direction to a team of engineers and subject matter experts
• Problem solves challenges that arise both within their scope of work and wider using prior experiences and networking to lead problems to a resolution.
• Work with 3rd Party suppliers to manage the execution of out-sourced activities to the agreed plan, pro-actively managing emerging risks
• Proactively identify and manage technical delivery risks related to the scope of work
• Identify "business as usual" activities from the project that require definition and handover to service operational teams
• Provide concise and regular updates on the scope of work to management through effective, tailored and confident communication methods
• Advocate of the NATS behaviours

6. Experience, Qualification & Skills

• HNC (or equivalent RQF level 4 or SCQF level 7 qualification) or Bachelors degree (or equivalent RQF level 6 or SCQF level 10 qualification) in an Engineering or Technology discipline and have experience of managing the technical delivery of complex projects following industry best practice techniques (preferably in a safety related sector).
• Applicants not holding the expected qualification but who have undertaken relevant lower-level qualifications/certifications in similar fields and have demonstrable skills and capabilities gained through relevant experience will be considered.
• Enthusiastic, flexible and a responsive person with the ability to plan and organise
• Track record in making key decisions independently
• Able to work under pressure without compromising outcomes
• Confidence to challenge peers and senior colleagues though constructive approaches, providing recommendations and driving decisions
• Proven record of identity solutions that focus on delivering pragmatic approaches, challenging the status quo where applicable, appreciating and able to balance cost, quality, and time and driving such solutions into delivery
• Confident communicator with all levels of stakeholders ranging from technical members of the team to senior business stakeholders
• Ability to translate complex engineering issues into plain English
• Appreciation and understanding for other department's needs and supports them to achieve the desired outcomes
• Demonstrable track record of resolving conflicts within teams through both empathy and driven leadership; building positive relationships with stakeholders
• Can demonstrate initiative and experience to proactively identify potential issues before they occur and being prepared with answers to any key stakeholder questions
• Experience of task management of multidisciplinary teams located across multiple sites; including integrated teams comprising permanent staff, temporary contractors and 3rd party suppliers, though effective delegation and prioritisation