About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced Software Engineering Lead to manage and lead the Software Engineering discipline in alignment with product market requirements and the organisation’s strategic direction. This role is responsible for ensuring the application of appropriate engineering processes, standards, and best practices to deliver high-quality, commercially viable software solutions. The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving technical excellence, enabling innovation, and building sustainable engineering capability.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum BEng in Electronic Engineering or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in product development engineering within a systems engineering environment
• Advanced applied experience in project management, system acquisition, configuration management, risk management, in engineering design and development will be advantageous

Key Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of software design principles, techniques, and development methodologies
• Technical management of software product design and delivery
• Understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC) and software safety certification processes (e.g., RTCA/DO-178)
• Application of software engineering within multi-disciplinary product development environments
• Understanding of systems engineering processes and review gates
• Business acumen including strategic planning, resource allocation, and business modelling
• Knowledge of engineering technologies, tools, and best practices

Key responsibilities

Process Ownership

Lead the development, standardisation, and continuous improvement of engineering processes, tools, and technologies. This includes establishing policies and standards, implementing lean product development practices, defining performance metrics, and ensuring alignment between design, project management, and product industrialisation.

Capability Establishment

Build and sustain a high-performing engineering capability by ensuring the availability of appropriate skills, resources, infrastructure, and technologies. This includes workforce planning, leveraging external expertise when required, and implementing mentorship initiatives to support current and future product development needs.

People Management and Leadership

Provide strong leadership to the engineering team through performance management, coaching, and talent development. This includes succession planning, employee engagement, and ensuring delivery against targets related to quality, cost, timelines, and customer satisfaction, while fostering a high-performance culture.

Our recruitment values:

HENSOLDT South Africa focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organizational strategy. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive corporate culture that benefits our employees and delivers better outcomes for our clients. In line with our commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, we welcome applications from all ethnic groups. In line with HENSOLDT's commitment to equal employment opportunities and our focus on diversity in the operational environment, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups.

Only individuals with a South African identification card may apply. 

Application Deadline: 15 April 2026. 

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV by applying directly on the HENSOLDT Careers Page.

If you have not been contacted within 14 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.