Head of Engineering & Projects
hace 2 días
Newport
On behalf of our client, a rapidly growing commercial vehicle conversion business operating across multiple UK sites, we are recruiting a Head of Engineering & Projects to support continued expansion and operational scalability. This role provides technical leadership and full ownership of project delivery outcomes, including cost, schedule, quality, compliance, and gateway approvals. The position ensures all programmes are production-ready, commercially viable, and compliant with regulatory and customer requirements. Key Activities Engineering Leadership • Lead, develop, and manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, systems as applicable)., • Define and maintain engineering standards, design practices, and documentation requirements., • Ensure all designs meet regulatory, safety, durability, and customer specifications., • Provide clear technical leadership, decision-making, and risk ownership throughout the project lifecycle. Project & Programme Delivery • Own the full project lifecycle from requirements definition through concept, design, validation, and production release., • Develop and manage project plans, milestones, and formal gateway deliverables., • Identify, manage, and mitigate technical, cost, and schedule risks., • Act as the primary escalation point for project delivery issues., • Lead cross functional teams. Cost & Commercial Accountability • Own project budgets, cost targets, and ongoing cost tracking., • Ensure engineering decisions align with commercial objectives and manufacturing cost targets., • Support quoting activities, cost estimation, and business case development for new programmes., • Drive cost reduction and value engineering initiatives where required. Production & Manufacturing Readiness • Ensure designs are manufacturable, serviceable, and fully production ready., • Lead the handover from engineering to production, including BOMs, drawings, and work instructions., • Support production ramp-up and resolve engineering issues post-launch. Stakeholder & Supplier Management • Work closely with internal stakeholders including operations, production, quality, and sales., • Manage technical engagement with suppliers, OEMs, and certification bodies., • Represent engineering and project delivery in customer-facing discussions as required. Skills & Experience Essential • Degree or Masters in an Engineering Discipline, • Proven experience leading engineering and project delivery within a manufacturing or vehicle-related environment, with clear accountability for outcomes., • Strong background in mechanical and/or systems engineering, with the ability to make sound technical judgements., • Demonstrated ownership of project budgets, schedules, and cross-functional delivery, including effective cost control and forecasting., • Experience delivering engineered products into series production, ensuring designs are compliant, manufacturable, and production ready., • Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear direction, set expectations, and hold teams accountable., • Structured, organised, and outcome-driven approach, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to agreed milestones., • Comfortable making technical and commercial trade-off decisions in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment., • Hands-on leadership style, capable of operating both strategically and tactically as required. Desirable • Experience in commercial vehicle conversions or automotive engineering environments., • Experience working in SME or fast-growth business environments, where flexibility and ownership are critical