Looking for your next career move in a company that’s shaping the future of satellite communications?

At ETL Systems, we’ve been leading the way in RF design and manufacturing for over 40 years. Our technology powers critical satellite communications infrastructure used by the top 20 satellite operators and teleports worldwide, and 75% of NATO governments rely on our equipment to help protect their citizens.

We’re not just growing, we’re thriving. With three Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade, and recent acquisitions of Atlantic Microwave, SpacePath Communications, and IRT Technologies, we’ve expanded our capabilities across the full RF chain. This includes everything from antenna to modem, as well as high-power amplifiers and RF test equipment.

What truly sets us apart is our culture.

We are proudly recognised as a Great Place to Work (2024, 2025 & 2026) and named Best Workplace in Manufacturing, Production and Transportation (2025). Our success is built on strong values that shape how we work and grow together:

• Collaboration: We work as one team, united in purpose and committed to shared success.
• Innovation: We embrace curiosity and forward-thinking to drive meaningful progress.
• Excellence: We set ambitious standards and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Integrity: We act ethically, honestly and with professionalism in everything we do.

If you’re looking to join a company where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a global impact, ETL Systems is the place for you.

ETL People benefits

• 33 days' holiday per year (including UK bank holidays), rising to 38 days over your first five years’ service. 
• Company‑funded Health Cash Plan (helping with everyday healthcare costs). 
• Annual Bonus & Salary Review. 
• Company Pension. 
• Career development and training for all roles. 
• ETL Employee Wellbeing Support:, free eye tests, free Employee Assistance Programme, GP anytime. 
• ETL People Perks: discounts on shopping, holidays, gym membership, days out, cinema and dining. 
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme. 
• Free on‑site Employee Gym (HFD HQ) and subsidised Gym memberships via People Perks
• Subsidised on‑site employee Café (HFD HQ), with free refreshments for all employees
• Free onsite parking, car share scheme and EV charging. 
• Casual Business Dress. 
• Annual company events. 

Role Overview:

The Engineering Director is a senior leadership position and will be responsible for managing ETL’s multi-disciplinary engineering team. The Engineering Director is accountable for engineering execution as an organisation. They translate technical needs into people, structure, and processes.

Collaborating closely with the CTO and other senior members within the company, the Engineering Director shall ensure on-time and on-budget completion of development projects while applying rigorous systems engineering principles. The Engineering Director shall be responsible for the simultaneous delivery of multiple products at the same time, with product delivery timeframes ranging from several weeks to 18+ months, depending on complexity. Part of the Engineering Director roles will also be to support delivering responses to RFI/RFP and during board and executive stakeholder meetings.

The Engineering Director owns that the processes, tools, and governance exist and operate effectively within the engineering organisation.

The role reports to the CTO and is ideally based in Rickmansworth, UK and will require travel to the company’s manufacturing site in Hereford, UK.

The ideal candidate:

• 10+ years of engineering experience in satellite communications or related R&D roles.
• 5+ years of experience in managing complex programmes in Engineering environment.
• 3+ years in senior engineering leadership leading multi-disciplinary team.
• In-depth experience in managing development and delivery of complex satellite communications electronics product involving embedded software and mechanical design.
• Understanding of end-to-end satellite communication system architectures (GEO, MEO, LEO).
• Strong background in RF engineering or similar.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex product developments.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary engineering teams including Systems, Hardware (RF, Mechanical & PCB ECAD), Digital and Software.
• Own engineering capacity, capability, and talent
• Owns daily execution of engineering processes, tools, and governance
• Balance cost, productivity, and quality
• Collaborating closely with the project management team, deliver engineering work packages to multiple programmes/projects
• Design and refine engineering team organisational structure that scales with company growth.
• Set clear expectations, direction, and objectives for engineering team members.
• Manage forecast loading vs capacity for the engineering function to inform bid and hiring decisions
• Manage the engineering budget including capital expenditures and R&D allocation.
• Support RFI/RFP bids.
• Support rigorous system engineering life cycle development process from requirements gathering, design, integration, test, production and deployment.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation and accountability.
• Lead the review of engineering development tools and instruments from time to time to ensure efficient execution of the business objectives.
• Collaborate closely with the Chief Engineer during the design reviews to ensure designs comply with requirements.

Desirables: 

• Knowledge of RF / Satellite communications
• Familiarity with satellite communication gateway station operations and satellite fleet management.
• Experience working with government or defence customers.

Location:

Hybrid working is available for this role. When on-site at you will be working from our R&D office in Rickmansworth - Before applying, please make sure you can commute to Ground Floor, Trinity Court, Suite C, Church St, Rickmansworth WD3 1RT

Closing date: At ETL, we always prioritise efficiency in everything we do. With this in mind, we are looking to commence our interview process without delay and reserve the right to close the opening early should we receive suitable applications.

BPSS Compliant: Due to the nature of our work, all roles require candidates to be BPSS compliant. 

VISA Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Agency notice: We are sourcing suitable candidates for this role directly via our internal referral programme, direct marketing, and talent team.

Please note that we do not accept speculative CVs from external suppliers.