ILS Manager

We are seeking a seasoned ILS / IPS practitioner to drive the supportability and sustainment of a complex defence electronics programme. This is a specialist technical management rolefocused on reliability, maintainability, and through-life engineering for software-intensive electronic systemsrather than a general supply chain management position.Contract Duration: 6 MonthsIR35 Status: Outside IR35Day rate: Up to £550 per dayWorking Pattern: Hybrid (1 day per week on-site, Isle of White, negotiable)Security Clearance: Must hold or be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC)Key Responsibilities Lead the overall planning, coordination, and delivery of all ILS activities across the programme lifecycle.Formulate and maintain ILS strategies, management plans, schedules, and associated deliverables.Collaborate closely with systems, software, hardware, safety, and reliability engineering teams to integrate supportability considerations early.Define and optimise long-term maintenance, support, and sustainment solutions.Undertake and coordinate technical analyses, including FMECA, FRACAS, reliability predictions, and maintainability assessments.Drive Maintenance Task Analysis (MTA), Level of Repair Analysis (LORA), spares modelling, and support equipment specification.Address software supportability requirements, including configuration control, release management, fault diagnosis, updates, and obsolescence planning.Proactively manage ILS risks, supplier performance, deliverables, and customer reporting.Act as the principal ILS representative to programme stakeholders, Tier 1 partners, and the end customer.Required Skills and Experience Significant experience acting as an ILS Manager, ILS Lead, IPS Lead, or Principal Supportability Engineer.Proven track record delivering ILS across complex defence, military, or secure electronic systems (experience with land systems or mission systems is highly advantageous).Strong practical knowledge of reliability and maintainability (R&M) engineering principles.Direct experience supporting complex, integrated hardware and software architectures.Comprehensive understanding of relevant defence ILS/IPS standards and guidance.Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and technical reporting skills.Flexibility to work on-site on the South Coast 1 day per week.Security Requirement: Must hold, or be eligible to successfully undergo, UK SC Security Clearance.TPBN1_UKTJ