Job title: Engineering Manager
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Salary type: Annual
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Wiltshire
Job published: 23/09/2026
Job ID: 46044
Contact name: Emma Homann, Georgia Field
Phone number: +441962442047
Contact email: emma@talentlocker.co.uk, Georgia@Talentlocker.co.uk

Job Description

Engineering Manager | Defence

Wiltshire | Hybrid – 3/4 days onsite | Up to £130,000 + benefits 

We’re working with a growing technology organisation delivering complex software solutions into the UK defence sector, and they’re looking for an Engineering Manager to build and lead a new engineering team supporting a major, long-term programme.

This is a genuine build-and-lead opportunity. You’ll have significant influence over the people you hire, the engineering standards you establish and how the team delivers.

The challenge...

  • Build a new engineering team from the ground up, including defining the team structure, hiring engineers and setting the standards for how the team operates.
  • Own delivery across a major, long-term defence programme, balancing customer commitments with the development of a growing team.
  • Establish strong engineering practices around architecture, code quality, reviews, delivery and operational standards.
  • Develop engineers at all levels, taking ownership of performance, progression and technical growth.
  • Work across teams and with senior stakeholders to solve complex technical and delivery challenges.
  • Stay close to the technology, contributing to architecture and design decisions, reviewing code and getting hands-on when the situation requires it.
  • Lead a technically complex environment centred around Java, PostgreSQL and Angular.
  • Build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders across the programme.
  • Travel internationally on a regular basis, with overseas travel forming a significant part of the role.

The experience that matters...

  • Proven experience managing software engineers as direct reports, with genuine ownership of performance, development and progression.
  • Experience hiring and building engineering teams, particularly where strong technical talent is difficult to find.
  • A strong software engineering background, ideally with significant experience in Java.
  • Good knowledge of PostgreSQL and Angular or comparable modern technologies.
  • Strong technical judgement, with the ability to contribute to architecture, design and code reviews.
  • A track record of delivering software against demanding customer or commercial commitments.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • A genuine interest in technology and the ability to remain technically credible while leading people.
  • Comfortable with regular international travel.

Experience within defence, government or another highly regulated environment would be advantageous.

Existing SC clearance is desirable, however it is not essential. You must be eligible and willing to undergo UK security clearance.

This is an opportunity to join a technically ambitious organisation at an exciting stage of growth, with the chance to build a team from the ground up rather than inherit an established structure.

You’ll have real ownership over how the team is built, how it operates and how its engineers develop, while remaining close to the technology and working on a significant defence programme.