Head of Engineering

Plymouth
5 days ago
Create job alert

Head of Engineering required for Global Manufacturer based at their site in Plymouth. As the Head of Engineering, the successful candidate will be a people centric Leader, driving forward Continuous Improvement activities through all areas of the business, to ensure the continuity of Production through effective and efficient maintenance and engineering across the site, minimising down time, reducing costs and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements, whilst strategically planning for the future to deliver new products, processes and equipment to deliver our vision to become market leader in our modern, purpose build facilities.

The scope of the role includes maintenance and production/process engineering, facilities management, asset care management and product development.

The scope also will require the project management of identified production engineering projects from capital justification to production handover and all required stages in between. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including R&D, production, and supply chain, to coordinate project activities, as well as customer and/or suppliers to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality products.

This is a leadership role within our client’s Plymouth site and will include supporting all plant and assets. There is scope to include the ongoing support of the wider Southwest sites as and when required.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Leading and managing a team of engineers to ensure the successful delivery of new product introductions, innovation projects, and improvements to production processes.

  • Developing and implementing engineering strategies, projects, and initiatives that align with the company's growth objectives and customer requirements.

  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement in product quality, cost reduction, and manufacturing efficiency.

  • Providing technical expertise and guidance to support the development of new products and processes.

  • Identifying and implementing new technologies, processes, and equipment to enhance the company's manufacturing capabilities and competitive edge.

  • Ensuring compliance with industry regulations, quality standards, and best practices in engineering and manufacturing

  • Work to achieve an increase in performance and/or asset availability and a reduction of asset downtime through a program of Asset Care.

  • Lead Project Management through effective methods from concept to delivery.

  • Use Data Analysis and Reporting to be result orientated and drive action to deliver business goals and vision.

  • Play an active role in determining the Company strategy and agreeing objectives and actions that will ensure short-term profitability whilst moving the business towards its longer-term strategic goals.

    Essential Experience, Qualifications and Candidate Attributes Required:

  • Degree level qualified in an engineering discipline or, in the absence of a degree, a HND level qualification and time served apprenticeship in an engineering discipline.

  • Demonstrated experience in leading and managing engineering teams to deliver on new product introductions and process improvements.

  • Strong technical knowledge with moulding and / or automated production lines.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to identify and implement innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges.

  • Proven ability to drive continuous improvement in product quality, cost reduction, and manufacturing efficiency.

  • Experience in project management, budgeting, and resource allocation.

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Automotive / Aerospace industry experience, including overall responsibility for PPAP submission.

  • Flexibility – travel between sites is important as is the willingness to connect with the employees who work outside normal office hours as and when required if necessary (such as the night shift).

    If you have are an experienced Senior Level Head of Engineering / Engineering Manager, looking for a new challenge, please submit an up to date CV by using the ‘apply’ button below

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Head of Engineering

Satellite Missions Architect (Future Programmes)

Structural Naval Architect

Head of Aerospace

Head of Sales

Head of Sales

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Thales Alenia Space Jobs in 2025: Your Complete UK Guide to Building Europe’s Next‑Generation Satellites & Lunar Gateways

From pressurised modules orbiting the Moon to broadband mega‑constellations 1,200 km above Earth, Thales Alenia Space (TAS) sits at the heart of Europe’s space ambitions. A joint venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), TAS employs more than 8,500 people across 17 sites—with growing hubs in Bristol and the Harwell Space Cluster. The firm is lead contractor for Europe’s IRIS² secure‑connect constellation (green‑lit in 2024) and supplies modules for NASA/ESA’s Lunar Gateway. Unsurprisingly, TAS has ramped up hiring: a quick scan of the Thales Alenia Space careers portal shows vacancies in systems engineering, RF payloads, AIT and mission operations. Whether you are a UK graduate dreaming of building communications payloads, a thermal engineer keen to keep lunar habitats at room temperature, or a programme manager itching to deliver the next Copernicus Earth‑observation satellite, this guide explains how to land a Thales Alenia Space job in 2025.

Satellite Engineering vs. Launch Vehicle Engineering vs. Ground Systems: Which Path Should You Choose?

The space sector has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent years, fuelled by commercial enterprises, miniaturised satellites, reusable rockets, and interplanetary missions. From building satellites that gather climate data to launching payloads on low-cost rockets or orchestrating ground infrastructure for real-time mission control, this industry spans a vast array of engineering and scientific disciplines. If you’ve been browsing space jobs on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk, you’ll likely notice a variety of roles falling into Satellite Engineering, Launch Vehicle Engineering, or Ground Systems. Which path should you pursue if you’re passionate about shaping humanity’s presence beyond Earth? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll define these three primary fields, compare overlapping vs. unique skills, delve into job titles and salary ranges, share real-world examples, and offer career tips. Whether your fascination lies in designing high-performance rockets, creating satellite constellations for broadband coverage, or ensuring seamless ground-to-space communication, understanding these subfields will help you align your talents and ambitions with the right trajectory—both literally and figuratively.

Which Programming Languages Should You Learn for a Career in Space Technology

From satellite constellations delivering broadband internet to Mars rovers and deep-space probes, the space sector is one of the most ambitious and technically challenging industries you can work in. Careers in space technology often blend aerospace engineering, embedded software, scientific computing, and mission-critical systems, each requiring a specific set of programming and engineering skills. If you’re browsing opportunities on www.ukspacejobs.co.uk, a natural question arises: Which programming language(s) should you learn to thrive in the space domain? The answer depends on your chosen speciality. Spacecraft flight software might prioritise C/C++ for reliability and performance, while ground stations and data pipelines may use Python for automation or MATLAB for signal processing. In advanced research environments, Fortran still persists for numerical simulations, whereas Rust is emerging for secure, robust embedded applications. In this guide, we’ll examine: Key programming languages vital for space tech. The pros, cons, and typical use cases of each. A hands-on project idea to help you build relevant aerospace experience. Essential resources and tips for www.ukspacejobs.co.uk