Head of Sub Systems Product Line - Bristol

Technical Engineering
Ref: 10005 Date Posted: Thursday 16 Apr 2026

Hybrid, 3 to 4 days on site | Leadership, strategy, real impact

Package               Up to £67,000 p/a | Plus, excellent bonus | Pension | Life Assurance + More

Location               Bristol

Term                     Permanent | 37 hours per week

Some leadership roles talk about impact; this one delivers it.

This is your chance to take ownership of a critical sub-system used across multiple high-profile programmes. You will shape the strategy, lead the engineering, and drive delivery from concept through to in service support.

This is not just management, this is design authority, accountability and Influence.

You will define the roadmap, win new work, and lead a team of systems engineers delivering complex, secure, high integrity products. You will work across software, hardware, cyber, and human factors, pulling it all together into something that works, scales, and lasts.

If you enjoy operating at the intersection of engineering depth and strategic leadership, this will feel like home.

What you will be doing

  • Owning the product line strategy and long-term roadmap
  • Acting as Design Authority across a family of sub-system products
  • Leading development from early concept through to delivery and support
  • Driving bids and securing new programme work
  • Managing interfaces across multiple programmes and engineering teams
  • Leading systems engineering activity, requirements, V&V, certification
  • Collaborating with software, hardware, cyber and human factors teams
  • Engaging senior stakeholders and external suppliers

What you will bring

  • Strong systems engineering background within complex product development
  • Experience leading across the full lifecycle, from concept to in service support
  • Strategic thinking with a product line mindset
  • Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
  • Experience managing work packages and delivering through teams
  • Knowledge of secure, Windows based product environments is highly valuable

What is on offer

  • Salary circa £67,000, depending on experience
  • Bonus up to 21.25%
  • Pension contribution up to 14% combined
  • Flexible and hybrid working options
  • Enhanced parental leave and family friendly policies
  • On site facilities including subsidised meals and free parking
  • Healthcare cash plan and wider benefits

The environment
You will operate in a highly collaborative engineering environment, working across multiple disciplines and programmes. The work is complex, the standards are high, and the outcomes matter.

Security
You must be a British Citizen or a Dual UK national with British citizenship. BPSS clearance is required as a minimum to start.

Cirrus Selection — specialist recruiters to the engineering and technology sectors, offers the services of an Employment Agency for permanent recruitment and the services of an Employment Business for contract recruitment.