Job Description:

Matchtech advert (no end-client named) - Hardware Team Leader (Contract)

Location: Rochester (5 days onsite)
Contract length: 12 months
Rate: £65.00/hr PAYE or £87.83/hr Umbrella
Clearance: BPSS + SC in progress (or eligible)

The role

We're recruiting for a Hardware Team Leader to join a leading organisation in the Defence & Security sector. You'll lead a team of experienced hardware engineers supporting production programmes across safety‑critical products such as Helmet Mounted & Head-Up Displays, Mission Computers, Flight Controls, Active Inceptors, and associated technologies.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you'll provide both technical direction and people leadership, ensuring delivery against programme demand, governance, and performance targets.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage an electronics/hardware engineering team (technical + people leadership)
• Own work packages: cost, schedule, risk and opportunities
• Ensure the engineering team meets production programme demand and priorities
• Provide technical governance and drive adherence to internal engineering processes
• Lead cost vs performance trade-offs and continuous improvement activity
• Drive failure reduction and improvements in reliability (incl. MDBF focus)

Essential experience / skills

• Proven leadership of engineering teams across a full product development lifecycle
• Strong understanding of product design and work package control
• Experience with cost and planning management tools
• Track record of optimising solutions and managing dependencies effectively
• Continuous improvement mindset (working practices, capability development)
• Root-cause approach to improving performance and reducing failures / increasing MDBF
• Experience supporting production programmes in a structured engineering environment

Desirable

• PLD / FPGA design experience
• Requirements tools (e.g. DOORS)
• Work package / project tools (e.g. MSP, JIRA)

What we're looking for

• Confident communicator who can lead technical discussions with stakeholders and customers
• Able to coach, guide and get the best from a mixed-discipline team
• Comfortable presenting at senior/customer reviews
• Collaborative approach across engineering disciplines

Apply

If you're an experienced Hardware Team Leader looking for a long-term onsite contract in a safety-critical, high-assurance environment, apply today.