Head of Product Engineering
Permanent Position
Salary Depending on Experience + Benefits
Growing Manufacturing Business
Birmingham
A precision manufacturing business, based in Birmingham, are currently recruiting for a Head of Product Engineering on a permanent basis. They specialise in machining and assembly of high value, low volume components for highly regulated industries.
The Head of Product Engineering will be a pivotal leader responsible for the technical integrity, quality and continuous improvement of the product portfolio. The successful candidate will drive excellence across the product lifecycle from design through manufacturing support and in-service performance.
This role requires a strategic focus on talent development, international coordination, and fostering key supplier relationships, all while ensuring seamless integration and collaboration across the wider Engineering department to develop new products and deliver the overall business plan.
Head of Product Engineering
Job Description
Strategic & Departmental Leadership:
* Working with the Technical Director to develop and implement a product engineering strategy that meets internal and external customer expectations and aligns with overall business goals (Profit, Sales, Quality, OTO).
* Leading, managing, and motivating the Product Engineering Department, encompassing the Design Engineering, CAO, and Technical Authority teams.
* Overseeing the performance management and talent development of the team, ensuring individual growth, facilitating POR completion, identifying succession pathways, and nurturing future leadership capabilities.
* Implementing and monitoring Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that drive performance (e.g., Right First Time (RFT), ECI Processing Time, Drawing Completion Time), issuing regular status & progress reports, and setting SMART objectives (monthly, quarterly, annually).
* Developing, preparing, analysing, and reviewing budgets and other financial reports for the department.
* Serving as a key member of the management team, participating in developing the Company's business strategies and programmes.
* Coordinating product engineering activities across international satellite companies under the umbrella, ensuring consistent standards and best practices.
* Collaborating closely with the Advanced Engineering and Research & Development departments to drive the development of new products, from initial concept and validation through to robust production release, in direct support of the overall business plan and revenue targets.
Design & Engineering Operations Management:
* Ensuring the quality of design outputs and adherence to design directives, procedures, and best practices (e.g., BS8888), from initial concept through production release.
* Overseeing the creation of detailed 20 and 30 CAO drawings for parts and assemblies, Bills of Materials (BOMs) for the MRP system, and comprehensive technical documentation.
* Managing Engineering Change Instruction (ECI) and Engineering Change Request (ECR) processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and timely implementation across all affected departments.
* Maintaining the integrity and accuracy of company design data and records.
* Collaborating extensively with other departments (e.g., Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales, Project Management) to ensure seamless product realisation and problem resolution.
Technical Excellence & Continuous Improvement:
* Leading the Technical Authority function in triaging, investigating, and resolving escalated production issues (e.g., from Assembly, Metrology).
* Driving significant improvements in Right First Time (RFT) metrics for machined components and assemblies, leveraging data analysis (e.g., CMM data, concession requests) and implementing robust root cause analysis tools and techniques.
* Spearheading product standardisation initiatives to reduce complexity, time, and cost, aligning with customer demands where appropriate.
* Assessing design risk and managing its mitigation throughout the product lifecycle.
* Identifying and eliminating single-point failures within the team through skills matrix development and cross-training initiatives.
* Promoting and implementing Lean and Continuous Improvement principles and tools within the department to optimise processes and drive efficiencies.
Technical Support & Innovation:
* Providing expert technical advice on product performance, design validation (using mathematical and graphical methods), and complex problem-solving.
* Advising the wider company on developments in relevant product technologies and manufacturing processes.
* Guiding and motivating fellow employees towards technical and professional growth.
* Conducting team training on new business guidelines, design developments, and continuous improvement methodologies.
* Leading the successful transfer of new technologies into the core product engineering processes and systems from Advanced Engineering and external partners.
* Working in close collaboration with the Supply Chain department to develop and onboard strategic suppliers, ensuring technical alignment and capability for core product components.
Head of Product Engineering
Essential Qualifications / Experience / Skills
* Extensive experience (10+ years) in engineering management within a precision manufacturing or Defence sector environment
* Proven experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams, including design, CAD, and technical problem-solving specialists
* Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or a related Engineering discipline
* Demonstrable expertise in continuous improvement methodologies
* Customer facing experience, including technical engagement during bid processes and problem resolution
* High level of technical drawing abilities in line with BS8888.
Head of Product Engineering
Desirable Qualifications / Experience / Skills
* Professional body membership, preferably Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution or able to attain