Head of Function (Systems)
Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. Think Bold. Act Reliable.
Free Tailor for ATS: 10/10 runs left
The Head of Function (Systems / Software) is a senior technical authority for the discipline within Expleo’s marine engineering environment.
The role is accountable for technical governance, delivery assurance, and capability development, acting as the primary technical escalation point below Chief Engineer.
Operating in a high-assurance, safety-critical context, the role ensures systems or software delivery is technically robust, compliant, and supported by appropriate capability, standards, and lifecycle practice.
Systems: Minimum INCOSE Lead Practitioner, with Expert capability preferred in technical authority areas.
Software: Aligned to SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence), reflecting function-level authority across software engineering capability, governance, and delivery.
Responsibilities
Provide technical authority across projects and bids, approving key technical outputs, plans, and estimates.
Act as escalation point for technical risk, quality, and engineering integrity issues.
Assure compliance with relevant standards, legislation, and engineering governance.
Conduct and oversee technical reviews and audits in line with project quality plans.
Intervene where technical risk exists, including stopping work on technical grounds.
Ensure projects are resourced with appropriately SQEP engineers.
Lead and develop Engineering Team Leads (ETLs) and Team Leads (TLs), ensuring strong technical input to appraisals and development planning.
Drive continuous improvement in engineering practice and capability maturity.
Qualifications
Essential
Degree in a relevant engineering or computing discipline.
Strong lifecycle knowledge (requirements, architecture, integration, V&V, quality).
Preferred
Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)
INCOSE CSEP (Systems); ESEP-aligned capability preferred.
Essential Skills
Systems (INCOSE-aligned)
Requirements definition and management
System architecture and trade studies
Integration, interfaces, V&V
Technical leadership and mentoring
Software (SFIA-aligned – Level 6)
Demonstrable authority across core SFIA software skills, including:
Architecture (ARCH)
Requirements (REQM)
Design (DESN)
Integration & build (SINT)
Testing & quality (TEST / NFTS)
Configuration & change (CFMG)
Lifecycle engineering (SLEN)
At SFIA Level 6, the role sets technical direction, influences across programmes, and assures delivery through governance rather than direct execution.
Desired Skills
Strong technical authority in systems or software engineering within complex, safety-critical environments
Ability to provide independent technical challenge, governance, and decision-making across multiple programmes
Deep understanding of engineering lifecycles (requirements, architecture, design, integration, verification & validation, in-service support)
Proven capability in technical review, assurance, and audit of engineering outputs and plans
Strong risk, quality, and compliance mindset in regulated environments
Ability to set technical direction and influence delivery without direct control (matrix environment)
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication, including senior client and internal leadership interaction
Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with ability to develop senior technical leaders
Experience
Significant experience in a senior technical leadership or technical authority role (e.g. Head of Function, Chief/Lead Architect, Technical Authority)
Experience working in complex, safety-critical, and regulated environments (e.g. marine, defence, aerospace, nuclear, rail)
Demonstrated track record of approving engineering solutions and assuring delivery across multiple projects or programmes
Experience acting as a technical escalation point for delivery, quality, and risk issues
Proven experience in technical governance, including design reviews, audits, and compliance assessments
Experience leading or influencing multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a matrix organisation
Demonstrated ability to develop engineering capability, including mentoring senior engineers and improving SQEP coverage
Experience ensuring projects are correctly resourced with appropriate technical capability
Systems-specific experience
Extensive experience applying systems engineering lifecycle processes in complex programmes
Experience in system architecture definition, integration challenges, and V&V strategy
Evidence of operating at INCOSE Lead Practitioner level or equivalent, with experience guiding others and resolving complex technical issues
Experience contributing to or aligning with safety cases, regulatory frameworks, and assurance activities
Software-specific experience
Extensive experience in software engineering leadership or architecture roles
Experience operating at SFIA Level 6 (Initiate / Influence) or equivalent level of responsibility, including:
Setting technical direction across projects
Influencing engineering decisions across teams
Governing software lifecycle practice and standards
Experience in safety-critical or high-assurance software development, including quality, security, and compliance considerations
Experience implementing or improving software engineering processes, assurance frameworks, and tooling
Strong background in architecture, integration, testing, and lifecycle governance within complex systems
Significant experience in senior technical leadership, technical authority, or architecture roles.
Experience in safety-critical software, secure systems, or model-based engineering.
Experience in complex, safety-critical, regulated environments (marine, defence, or equivalent)
Experience driving continuous improvement in engineering processes, standards, and tools
Benefits
Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges
We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
Competitive company benefits
Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
Communicating and promoting vacancies
Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.
We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive