Head of Systems Engineering

Universal Quantum

. Define and implement the systems engineering strategy, lifecycle, standards, governance, and toolset.

Posted 9/29/2026full-timeHaywards Heath • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in systems engineering strategy, lifecycle management, and multidisciplinary team leadership, with a strong focus on compliance, risk management, and stakeholder alignment. Proven ability to drive technical strategy and product roadmaps while ensuring effective communication across diverse teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems Engineering StrategyMultidisciplinary Team LeadershipRequirements ManagementRisk ManagementStakeholder Alignment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Systems EngineeringRequirements DecompositionSystem ArchitectureIntegrationVerificationValidationConfiguration ManagementDesign ReviewsLifecycle ModelsPerformance Measures

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationInfluencing SkillsSystems-Thinking CapabilityDecision-Making

Industry Keywords

Quantum ComputingSemiconductorsPhotonicsCryogenicsUltra-High Vacuum SystemsPrecision ElectronicsControl SystemsR&D TransitionCommercial ProductsCustomer Deployments

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and implement the systems engineering strategy, lifecycle, standards, governance, and toolset.
Lead system-level design and requirements decomposition across Product, Architecture, Quantum, Hardware, Software, and Control teams.
Establish and chair design, readiness, test, and acceptance reviews.
Manage risks, non-conformances, failure investigations, and corrective actions through closure.
Maintain system-level plans, dependencies, technical risks, and performance measures.
Build, lead, and mentor multidisciplinary systems engineering and integration teams.
Set objectives and KPIs, develop capability, support recruitment, and establish accountability.
Create effective relationships across research, engineering, product, programme, quality, supply chain, and customer-facing teams.
Contribute to verification and test strategy for integrated assemblies and systems.
Ensure compliance with reliability, safety, regulatory, contractual, and quality requirements.
Contribute to technical strategy and product roadmaps, improving performance, modularity, manufacturability, serviceability, and scalability.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
Significant experience leading systems engineering activities across complex multidisciplinary hardware and software products.
Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams within a scaling organisation.
Strong experience owning requirements, system architecture, interfaces, integration, verification, validation, and system acceptance.
Deep understanding of systems engineering methodologies, lifecycle models, risk management, design reviews, configuration management, and requirements management tools.
Proven ability to align global stakeholders across research, engineering, product, and programme functions.
Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.
Strong systems-thinking capability and experience making sound decisions in technically challenging and ambiguous environments.
Desirable: Experience within quantum computing or another deep-technology environment.
Desirable: Experience in semiconductors, photonics, cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum systems, precision electronics, or control systems.
Desirable: Experience transitioning advanced technologies from R&D into commercial products, customer deployments, or production environments.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary
Meaningful equity participation
Flexible holiday allowance (28 days minimum)
Flexible working
10% matching pension
Generous parental support policy
Private health / dental insurance & group life insurance
£2,000 annual personal development budget
Relocation support
Inclusive environment and diversity and inclusion commitment