Dennis Carter has over 30 years of experience in engineering management roles within the defense communications industry. He has managed engineering teams ranging from 5 to 50 people and was responsible for budgets, program management, system design, and technical leadership on bids. His career highlights include successfully leading trials teams to win contracts and managing business units to achieve financial targets.

1. 1
Dennis Carter
Systems Engineering Manager
Harris Systems Limited
Winnersh
Wokingham
Berkshire RG41 5TS
Experience summary
Management of a product development laboratory as a business, with particular focus on the financial aspects.
Engineering management of teams varying in size from 5-50 people, with the skills covering those required to
implement product development. Generation of system/product specifications to meet market requirements.
Technical lead on bids and proposals. Experience of communication systems engineering, from initial system
inception and platform system design to management of issues such as RF Co-site, EMC & TEMPEST.
Career History
2008-2015 Systems Engineering Manager, Harris Systems Limited (RF Division)
Reporting to the Regional Managing Director of the European Hub of Harris RF Division. Responsible for all
aspects of the day to day management of a small mixed disciplined engineering team (systems, software, RF,
mechanical, FPGA etc.) including all budget and line management aspects. In addition, required to provide bid and
customer support as necessary focussing on the immediate business needs to support the tactical radio business both
in the UK and in Europe. Products included in this business are US Type 1 and UK High Grade equipment, as well
as many unaccredited radio platforms and associated ancillaries for all radio types. Supported company activities to
improve engineering efficiency by resolving utilisation and common process and tool sets.
Achievements: As part of the Harris RF team I was the technical lead for bidding and winning significant contracts
in the UK and Europe. Management of the department was successfully achieved to budget, across the time period,
as was maintaining staffing levels as required by senior management.
2006-2007 Engineering Manager, Defence Tactical Communications Thales Communications
Reporting to the Engineering Director of the Communications Operating Unit. Responsible for all aspects of the day
to day management of a 50 strong mixed disciplined engineering team (systems, software, RF, mechanical, FPGA
etc.) including all budget and line management aspects. In addition, required to provide bid and customer support as
necessary focussing on the immediate business needs to support the TETRA terminal business both in the UK and
overseas. Supported company activities to improve engineering efficiency by resolving utilisation and common
process and tool sets.
Achievements: Successfully completed first year to budget and maintained staffing levels as required by senior
management.
2002 – 2006 Technical Manager, Land Products Thales Communications
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, Land Products. Responsible for all aspects of tactical and paramilitary
communication system design associated with new product developments, ensuring that all parts of a system
necessary to achieve sales were developed as required. Major role in technical management of TETRA terminal
product development, as well as standing in for project manager for financial and other program matters as
appropriate. In addition, acting as deputy to the Engineering Manager for line management and Engineering
department budget issues. Seconded into the UK government future soldier (FIST) programme as C4I Manager
responsible for the decomposition of high level requirements down to sub system and module level to allow
procurement of these items for supply to the UK Army. In 2005 performed key role as Technical Lead for small UK
based trials team to ensure competitive success against newly formed aggressive competitors. The role included
providing technical support to marketing at key customer meetings to ensure that customer requirements were
properly captured, and that competitive trials were properly managed to optimise our chances of success.
Achievements: Completed development of handheld and vehicle terminals and ancillaries. Successfully led the the
trials team to win all UK trials on technical merit.
2000 – 2002 Business Unit Manager, Product Development Thales Defence

2. 2
Reporting to the Managing Director. Responsible for the management of the finances and program issues associated
with the concept design and development of a range of complex new equipment/systems, leading a mixed discipline
team of engineers across a number of development projects of varying complexity.
Achievements: Successfully managed business unit finances and programs in two fiscal years to achieve budgeted
performance of £3200k and £4000k respectively.
1998 – 2000 System Design Authority, Product Development Racal Radio
Reporting to the Business Unit Manager, Product Development. Responsible for all aspects of tactical and
paramilitary communication system design associated with new product developments, ensuring that all parts of a
system necessary to achieve sales were developed as required.
Achievements: Assumed responsibilities of deputy to Business Unit Manager, taking over role as and when,
becoming responsible for achieving financial and technical targets for over half of the Business Unit’s programmes.
1994 – 1998 Chief Engineer, Systems Engineering Racal Communications Systems Ltd./Racal Radio
Reporting to the Systems Director. Responsible for all aspects of tactical and paramilitary communication system
design and implementation.
Achievements: System design and development almost to first prototype of high volume soldier radio system. Day-
to-day management of 24 Systems Engineers in all aspects of pre and post contract communication system design
and development. Responsible for determining future workload and setting departmental budgets based on this.
1981 – 1994 Graduate Engineer through to Assistant Chief Engineer, Systems Engineering Racal
Mobilcal/Racal Tacticom Systems/Racal Communications Systems Ltd./Racal Radio
A variety of engineering roles undertaken starting with hardware design for military transceivers through to more
complex systems engineering tasks. Latterly taken on more responsibility for line management functions. Hardware
design experience includes audio, Rf and frequency synthesisers. Systems engineering topics include combat net
radio, paramilitary (public safety) communications systems and tactical trunk communication systems.
Professional Training:
2001 Rapid Product Development Management Techniques – Don Reinertsen
1997 Finance For None Finance Managers
1997 Perfecting Management Skills
1981 BEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
IT Skills:
DOORS Training Course
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Personal Details:
Date of birth: 16 May 1959
Clearance UK SC