sector specific recruitment

Aerospace recruitment specialists

Connecting aerospace businesses with the engineers, technical specialists and leadership talent needed to deliver complex, safety-critical innovation.

From avionics and embedded systems to manufacturing, software and systems engineering, Octagon Group supports aerospace organisations across the UK, Europe and the US with specialist recruitment solutions built around technical expertise, speed and long-term partnership.

Whether you are scaling a programme, replacing critical talent or searching for your next aerospace opportunity, our team understands the challenges unique to the aerospace sector and how to navigate them.

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Aerospace hiring challenges in 2026

The aerospace industry continues to evolve rapidly, but hiring specialist talent remains one of the sector’s biggest barriers to growth and delivery.

Many organisations are facing:

Shortages of experienced aerospace engineers

Competition for embedded software and systems talent

Long hiring cycles for security-cleared professionals

Pressure to modernise legacy systems

Rising demand for electronics, RF and avionics expertise

Skills gaps created by retiring senior workforce

At Octagon Group, we understand that hiring in aerospace is not simply about filling vacancies. It is about finding engineers and technical specialists capable of operating within highly regulated, safety-critical and technically complex environments.

Trusted by the leaders in the sector

Aerospace roles we recruit for

Embedded systems and hardware development

  • Embedded Software Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • FPGA Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Hardware Design Engineer
  • Verification & Validation Engineer

RF, communications & radar

  • RF Engineer
  • Microwave Engineer
  • Antenna Engineer
  • Radar Systems Engineer
  • Signal Processing Engineer

Manufacturing & operations

  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Production Engineer
  • Quality Engineer
  • Supply Chain Specialist
  • Operations Manager

Leadership & programme delivery

  • Engineering Manager
  • Programme Manager
  • Technical Director
  • Head of Engineering
  • CTO
Explore more roles

Meet your aerospace recruitment team

Head of Talent

Dale Barnett

dbarnett@octagongroup.co.uk

01525 306 221 / 07441347402

Connect on LinkedIn

Specialism

Manufacturing & Ops

Fun Fact

I can recite every word to Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings

Talent Director / Co-Founder

Steve Bernat

sbernat@octagongroup.co.uk

01525 306 219 / 07441340694

Connect on LinkedIn

Specialism

Contract Engineering

Fun Fact

I’m a qualified ski instructor and the best skier in the office (debatable)

Senior Talent Partner

Keelan Riley

kriley@octagongroup.co.uk

01525 664852 / 07441340433

Connect on LinkedIn

Specialism

Aerospace & Defence

Fun Fact

Spent two years in New Zealand, selling adrenaline-fueled activities like skydiving, bungy jumping, helicopter glacier tours, and canyoning.

Why aerospace clients love working with us

Specialist engineering networks

We proactively engage aerospace engineers and technical professionals beyond traditional job boards, giving clients access to wider and higher-quality talent pools.

Reduced long-term hiring risk

Technical understanding and detailed qualification processes help ensure stronger alignment between candidate capability, project requirements and company culture.

Scalable hiring support solutions

We support businesses hiring for individual specialist positions, full project teams and long-term growth plans across permanent and contract recruitment.

Recruitment built around partnership

We work as an extension of your team, providing transparent communication, market insight and recruitment strategies tailored to your business goals.

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Why aerospace candidates love working with us

Access to specialist aerospace opportunities

We work with innovative aerospace businesses across commercial aviation, defence, communications, advanced manufacturing and emerging aerospace technologies.

We understand your background

Our team understands highly technical engineering skillsets, helping us connect candidates with opportunities genuinely aligned to their experience and career goals.

Building long-term career partnerships

Whether you are looking for your next permanent role, contract opportunity or leadership move, we focus on building long-term relationships rather than one-off placements.

Support throughout the process

From CV guidance and interview preparation to salary benchmarking and market insight, we support candidates throughout the recruitment journey.

Browse aerospace jobs
“We’ve had great success working with Octagon as a recruitment agency partner. We have found Keelan to be engaged, communicates well and taken the time to understand our business needs. Thank you for working with us and supporting us in recruiting for our operations and engineering roles.”
Ciara ThompsonOXTS
“The whole process of job hunting is a minefield and the landscape has changed over the years, with more candidates and less opportunities you need to have someone flighting your corner. Octagon Group and in particular working with Keelan was like having a drink with an old friend! He was never too busy to chat and talk strategies. He took the time to know what I was looking for and pushed for position that where within my ability and experience. Working closely together Keelan was able to guide me through to interviews and a job offer! The whole process was smooth and professional.”
Ross LumsdenCandidate
"What stands out the most with Keelan is his proactive approach, his support and his attention to detail. Keelan takes the time to refine his searches based on our requirements and genuinely is committed to finding the right long term candidates for our roles. We would highly recommend Keelan to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable and committed recruitment consultant.”
Lucy Hemington BoothCPI TMD Technologies
“We've been working with Keelan since 2022 and feel that his recruitment style really suits us. He's taken the time to get to know the company and type of people we're looking for, which in turn means the quality of the candidates he sends are high. His communication is great and he sends over candidates in a timely manner. He ensures both the candidates and us are kept up to date throughout the process.”
Annie McloughlinLabLogic
“We continue to have excellent experiences working with Keelan. From the very beginning, he has been professional, approachable and genuinely invested in helping us find the right candidates for our roles. Keelan takes the time to understand our roles, business needs, company culture and really understands what we are looking for. Keelan doesn’t send through high volumes of candidates, he focuses on quality and only sends through candidates that align well with what we are looking for. Keelan keeps us informed at every stage of the recruitment process and manages the candidates expectations effectively."
Lucy Hemington BoothCPI TMD Technologies

Aerospace hiring insights

Better hiring decisions start with a better understanding.

Our insights are shaped by real hiring challenges we see every day, including guidance on how to hire embedded engineers, market demand for specialist skills, and salary and availability trends across technology and engineering roles.

Looking to hire aerospace talent?

Whether you need specialist engineering expertise, leadership talent or scalable recruitment support for complex programmes, Octagon Group can help.

Fill the form below, or simply contact Keelan at kriley@octagongroup.co.uk or 01525 664852.