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Engineering Operations Manager
Job Location:
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
23 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
18 October 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Department:
Job Summary
Were building the UKs next generation engineering powerhouse providing critical technology that strengthens national security and resilience.
We specialise in turning advances in sensing AI and communications into operational capability for the edge where connectivity may be degraded or denied. Our work focuses on accelerating the deployment of technology improving decision-making for frontline teams and protecting people and critical assets in demanding environments.
Headquartered in Bristol Rowden employs around 200 people and operates over 20000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing facilities. We have a growing international footprint and are one of Europes fastest-growing engineering businesses.
The role
Rowdens engineering organisation is scaling rapidly in both size and complexity.
We are delivering complex multi-year programmes across AI-enabled systems edge networks distributed infrastructure sensing mission software cloud and systems integration while continuing to build new products and engineering capabilities.
As we scale we want to be deliberate about how engineering grows: where we invest what capabilities we build which tools and environments we improve and how we remove friction from delivery.
As Engineering Operations Manager you will work closely with the VP Engineering and engineering leaders to help scale the engineering organisation effectively. You will identify where friction is slowing teams down where capability or coordination gaps are emerging and what operational or engineering improvements are needed next turning fragmented operational information into the insight needed to make fast high-conviction decisions around delivery trade-offs investment and prioritisation.
You will also lead the execution of engineering initiatives that improve how the organisation operates at scale from tooling and workflows through to new engineering capabilities and operational improvements.
The environment is fast-moving technically complex and highly collaborative. You do not need to be the deepest technical specialist in the room but you do need the technical fluency systems thinking and judgement to engage credibly with engineers and deliver meaningful operational improvements.
The right person for this role will enjoy untangling complexity spotting pressure points early and helping a high-performing engineering organisation continue to scale without losing speed coordination or engineering quality.
You do not need to be an engineer by trade to do this role but you do need to have sufficient experience working with engineers on difficult engineering problems. Someone with a technical project management background may be just as well suited to the role.
Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.
More information about security clearance is available here:
Candidates must be eligible for SC clearance.
More information about security clearance is available here:
Key areas of responsibility
- Building an accurate view of how engineering is operating across the business unearthing delivery pressure points capability gaps scaling risks and operational improvements early.
- Interrogating forecasts delivery assumptions engineering demand and technical constraints to understand the realities of trade-offs and priorities across the organisation.
- Turning fragmented information from projects teams bids and delivery reviews into clear operational insight that supports fast high-conviction decisions.
- Leading engineering improvement initiatives across tooling workflows and engineering ways of working.
- Spending time close to the teams and the work understanding how engineering operates on the ground rather than relying purely on reporting.
- Driving the operational cadence of the engineering function across planning reviews reporting and cross-functional coordination.
- Coordinating the engineering graduate scheme including rotations placement planning and helping build long-term engineering capability across the organisation.
Key skills experience and behaviours
- Experience operating within scaling engineering or technical delivery environments where priorities demand and constraints are constantly evolving.
- Strong systems thinking and operational judgement with the ability to understand how decisions in one area impact delivery teams and engineering capacity elsewhere.
- The ability to absorb complex information quickly identify patterns and risks early and bring clarity to ambiguous situations.
- Sufficient technical fluency to engage confidently with engineers across multiple disciplines and build credibility within technical teams.
- A naturally curious and proactive approach with a desire to understand how teams really operate and where improvements can have the biggest impact.
- Strong communication and influencing skills with the confidence to challenge constructively and navigate competing viewpoints or priorities.
- High levels of ownership organisation and follow-through with the ability to maintain momentum across multiple initiatives at once.
- A pragmatic mindset focused on helping engineering teams scale effectively without adding unnecessary process overhead or complexity.
About you
The behaviours that will make you successful here include:
- Curious about how engineering organisations really operate and motivated by solving operational challenges.
- Comfortable operating across fast-moving teams competing priorities and technical domains.
- Confident asking difficult questions challenging assumptions and bringing clarity to ambiguity.
- Pragmatic and execution-focused with a bias toward improving how teams work without adding bureaucracy.
- Motivated by helping engineering teams scale collaborate effectively and do their best work.
Working at Rowden
We are committed to building a flexible inclusive and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills experience and backgrounds so please apply and come as you are!
We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible hybrid-working model with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.
Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.
Finally if you feel that you dont meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience wed still love to hear from you!
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
Rowden designs and builds systems, infrastructure, and applications to deliver mission advantage to those working to protect the security of the UK and its allies. We are setting a new standard in government technology provision: hyper-efficient engineering, better customer relationsh ... View more
