Engineering Manager
8 days ago
Barrow-in-Furness
We are seeking an Engineering Manager to lead and develop our Engineering function at a pivotal stage of the business journey. Recent leadership changes have created a genuine opportunity to reset structure, culture, and capability within a growing engineering organisation of around 45 people. With a new General Manager in place and a strong pipeline of work—particularly within defence, nuclear, and complex infrastructure projects—this role offers the chance to make a visible and lasting impact. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining strong mechanical engineering credibility with people development, process improvement, and delivery excellence. The Role As Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for leading the Engineering team across multiple complex projects—from business winning and concept design through product development, production introduction, and final customer delivery. You will ensure engineering activities are delivered safely, compliantly, and to the highest quality standards, while contributing directly to the commercial performance and future growth of the business. Key Responsibilities • Lead and coordinate complex engineering projects from initiation through to delivery, • Provide technical leadership and act as a senior customer interface, • Lead the resolution of complex technical issues, internally and externally, • Plan and coordinate engineering resources to optimise delivery and capability, • Shape programmes of work using sound engineering judgement, • Provide engineering input into wider project management activities, • Champion quality, health, safety, and environmental standards, • Build, structure, and develop the engineering team, • Foster a high-performance, collaborative engineering culture, • Mentor and develop engineers at all levels, • Drive continuous improvement in tools, processes, and ways of working Team & Growth You will inherit a small but capable team and have the opportunity to build and shape an almost entirely new engineering function: • 2 Design Engineers (graduate and experienced) Experience, Skills & Qualifications Essential • Degree or HND in Engineering, • Strong mechanical engineering background, • Experience delivering complex engineering projects to time and budget, • Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, • Experience with pipework, skid structures, and pressure systems / small vessels, • Nuclear or defence sector experience (highly desirable), • A technically credible engineering leader, not just a people manager, • Someone comfortable building teams, developing capability, and setting standards, • A forward-thinking, solutions-focused mindset, • Confident engaging directly with customers and stakeholders, • Rare opportunity to shape a function and its culture from the ground up, • Strong enquiry pipeline, including work with BAE Systems and nuclear clients, • Visible leadership role within a smaller, growing organisation, • Supportive senior leadership and momentum for change, • Significant growth potential as operational performance improves Working Pattern • Site-critical role, • 4 days on-site (Monday–Thursday), • Friday half-day