Our client, a pioneering automotive brand, is seeking a Chief Engineer - Virtual Engineering to lead simulation and digital validation across exciting new vehicle programmes. This is a rare opportunity to build and shape a department from the ground up, working closely with cross-functional teams and reporting directly to the CTO. The Chief Engineer - Virtual Engineering will: * Lead and manage the Virtual Build Engineering team across CAE, CFD, and FEA disciplines. * Define and implement simulation strategies aligned with product and business goals. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate simulation into the full development cycle. * Mentor and develop a high-performing team of simulation engineers and specialists. * Ensure timely delivery of accurate, validated simulation outputs for vehicle programmes. * Evaluate and adopt emerging digital engineering tools and technologies. The Chief Engineer - Virtual Engineering will have: * Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Motorsport Engineering. * 10 years of experience in automotive engineering with deep expertise in CAE, CFD, and FEA. * Proven leadership experience in simulation or virtual engineering teams. * Hands-on experience with tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-DYNA, Star-CCM, HyperWorks. * Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, structural mechanics, and thermal/fluid systems. * Experience integrating virtual engineering processes into vehicle development programs. * Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. If you're a visionary simulation expert ready to drive innovation and make a lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now using an updated version of your CV and we will be in touch