Head of Engineering, SailGP Technologies About: The Rolex SailGP Championship is the most exciting racing on water, where anything can happen in short, adrenaline-fueled battles between national teams at iconic stadium destinations worldwide. Top athletes fly in identical high-tech F50 catamarans faster than the wind, at speeds approaching 60mph. Founded in 2018, SailGP is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and entertainment properties, now in its fifth season. SailGP is a global organization with defined values that shape the culture of its team – deliver quality, break boundaries, make an impact, stand together and strike a balance. SailGP Technologies began as the high performance design, engineering and manufacturing arm of SailGP and has led the way in high-performance applied innovation. Our constantly evolving design, composites engineering, software and data expertise is rooted in decades of experience at the forefront of cutting-edge sail racing. Previously established and located in New Zealand since 2001, SailGP Technologies relocated to Southampton, UK in Spring 2024 at our new state of the art facility. Role Summary: This leadership role is responsible for overseeing an integrated engineering and manufacturing function, with a focus on delivering high-performance, high-quality components through both metallic and composite processes. The successful candidate will bring proven experience across engineering design, production, and advanced manufacturing, ideally from a high-tech, precision-driven environment such as motorsport, aerospace, or marine innovation. This position requires strong technical leadership, hands-on experience managing multidisciplinary teams, and a clear understanding of how to scale production systems and processes to meet evolving operational demands. It is ideally suited to someone currently in a lead engineering or production management role who is ready to take ownership of a full department and play a central role in shaping future manufacturing strategy. Key Responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership across a multidisciplinary engineering function, including design, manufacturing, testing, and product development, ensuring alignment with business and performance objectives. Define and execute a forward-looking manufacturing and engineering strategy that supports growth, product innovation, and scalability - balancing in-house capability with outsourced supply chain solutions. Oversee the delivery of high-precision metallic and composite components, driving quality, repeatability, and production efficiency across all manufacturing processes. Ensure tight integration between engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations to support seamless product development and industrialisation. Champion a culture of continuous improvement, leading initiatives to reduce lead times, optimise tooling and resource allocation, and improve yield and material efficiency. Lead investment planning and capability development within engineering and production functions - including CNC machining, composites manufacturing, fixturing, and quality systems. Own the full product lifecycle for mission-critical systems and components - from initial concept and design through to validation, delivery, and operational performance. Manage daily operations of internal machining and fabrication teams, ensuring delivery of components to specification, budget, and schedule, while meeting the highest performance and safety standards. Act as a key technical authority and thought leader within the organisation - supporting decision-making at the senior level and driving a culture of engineering excellence. About You: Proven leadership experience in engineering design, manufacturing, and production within a high-tech, precision-driven sector such as motorsport, aerospace, or marine technology. Strong technical grounding across both metallic and composite manufacturing processes, with the ability to guide teams on the shop floor as well as at the strategic level, including a strong knowledge and experience in CNC programming and operation. Hands-on leadership style – equally comfortable directing teams and personally engaging in problem-solving to meet performance, quality, and delivery targets. Track record of successfully managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and fostering collaboration across design, manufacturing, procurement, and operations. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute manufacturing strategies that balance in-house capabilities with external supply chain partners. Experience scaling production processes and systems to meet evolving operational demands while maintaining quality and repeatability. Skilled in implementing continuous improvement initiatives that reduce lead times, optimise tooling and resources, and improve material efficiency. Confident communicator and influencer, able to operate effectively at all levels of the organisation and with senior stakeholders. Commercially aware, with an understanding of the financial and operational drivers behind engineering and manufacturing decisions. Passionate about building high-performance teams and embedding a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and innovation. Location: Southampton, UK