Senior Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer

Role Overview Thorn SDS is a trusted Managed Service Provider (MSP) supporting world-leading defence, aerospace, and space clients. We take pride in providing high-calibre engineering expertise that helps our customers deliver complex, safety-critical capability. We are now seeking a Senior Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer to join our engineering talent community. In this role, you will bring deep technical insight, strong systems thinking, and an ability to influence multi-disciplinary projects across the acquisition and through-life support of both crewed and uncrewed air systems. This is an exciting opportunity to support a diverse portfolio, from traditional fixed and rotary wing platforms through to emerging UAS technologies, spacecraft systems, and cutting-edge aerospace programmes. About the Role As a Senior Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineer, you will work within a dedicated Skill Group alongside specialists in airworthiness, systems engineering, aerodynamics, structural integrity, and aerospace design. You will provide authoritative technical advice, manage complex engineering activities, and help shape safe and sustainable solutions across the acquisition lifecycle. Assignments may involve working within teams responsible for gateway project definition, system integration, corporate guidance and regulatory support, or core acquisition and in-service delivery across Air, Land, Maritime, Training, and multi-environment domains. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership: Coordinate and lead engineering teams to define technical requirements, generate deliverables, and ensure the maturity and quality of engineering documentation. Systems Engineering: Manage the design and integration of complex aeronautical systems, balancing performance, time, cost, and regulatory considerations. Regulatory & Safety Expertise: Apply regulatory frameworks, championing quality, safety, security, environmental sustainability, and airworthiness best practice. Risk & Assurance: Drive risk identification, mitigation, and safety management, leading verification, validation, testing, audit and assurance activities. Stakeholder Management: Engage confidently with delivery teams, regulators, industry partners, and contractor specialists, ensuring alignment and successful system implementation. In-Service Support: Oversee support, modification, disposal and decommissioning activities across the lifecycle of aerospace systems. Coaching & Development: Mentor junior engineers, sponsor technical documentation, and contribute to the growth of the engineering skill community. What You’ll Bring Essential Experience & Qualifications: A STEM qualification at RQF Level 4 (or SCQF/international equivalent). Substantial senior-level experience providing technical advice and delivering engineering outcomes within multidisciplinary environments. Broad and deep knowledge across Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering with strong Systems Engineering capability. Professional Registration as: Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) Skills & Competencies: Expert systems thinking with strong problem-solving skills. Ability to challenge, coach and guide others on correct technical standards, legislation and process. Strong decision-making, prioritisation and analytical skills. Skilled at managing technical conflict, stakeholder needs, and complex data. Excellent communication and influence, able to foster collaborative, high-quality engineering practice. People & Budget Responsibilities Mentor and guide junior engineers, contribute to tasking and internal leadership. Engage regularly with contractors and partners. May hold budget responsibilities and contribute to business case reviews and cost forecasting. Benefits 25 days Annual Leave (plus Bank Holidays) Employer Pension Contributions Group Life Insurance Dental Cashback Plan Health Cashback Plan Wellbeing Services (includes GP, Physio and Savings Benefits) Thorn Wellbeing Support Contribution Employee Referral Scheme Cycle to Work Scheme Supported Training & Personal Development Opportunities Apply If you have the expertise to support this requirement and are eager to make an impact in a critical role, please apply today! All applicants must hold the Right to Work in the UK and already possess National Security Clearance.