Brand New Role: * * * * Director of Engineering * * * * We are very pleased to be able to present to the market what is arguably the best senior level Engineering Director role (Geo) in the British Isles at the moment. This is a brand new position, the first-in of what will become our clients joint largest and most important function globally. The Director of Engineering will be responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and delivery of seabed drilling equipment and geotechnical tools which directly support offshore site investigation operations, all around the world. The role has full accountability for engineering activities across a growing fleet of vessels, ROV's and seabed drill and tooling systems, ensuring equipment is safe, reliable, scalable, and operationally effective. The position leads engineering across tool and system development, an in-house R&D facility, and operational deployment, driving innovation and continuous improvement as the business expands its offshore, nearshore & onshore capabilities. Key Responsibilities: Engineering Leadership & Strategy This profile will define and execute the engineering strategy for seabed drilling systems, trenching tools, and associated handling equipment, aligned with the businesses growth plans You will provide technical leadership across a growing fleet of vessels, seabed drills, and geotechnical equipment The role will lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team across design, R&D, and operational support functions The Director will establish engineering governance, design standards, and lifecycle management processes Seabed Drill, Equipment & Tool Development Oversee the design, development, and qualification of: Seabed geotechnical drilling systems Downhole and seabed-deployed tools (samplers, corers, in-situ testing systems) Launch, recovery, and handling systems for vessel deployment Own the technology roadmap for seabed drilling and tooling, supporting deeper water, improved data quality, and operational efficiency Drive innovation through the company’s R&D facility, from early-stage concepts and prototyping through to offshore trials Ensure equipment designs are optimised for harsh offshore environments, vessel integration, maintainability, and reliability R&D Facility Oversight Provide leadership and direction to the in-house R&D and test facility, ensuring alignment with operational and commercial priorities Oversee prototype testing, qualification programs, and controlled trials prior to offshore deployment Promote a structured yet agile approach to innovation, balancing experimentation with operational reliability Vessel & Offshore Operations Interface Work closely with vessel teams and offshore operations to ensure seamless integration of seabed drills and equipment with vessels Support mobilisations, offshore trials, and technical troubleshooting as required Ensure lessons learned from offshore operations are captured and fed back into design improvements Act as senior technical authority during offshore incidents or equipment failures. Safety, Quality & Compliance Ensure engineering designs and activities comply with offshore regulations, industry standards, and client requirements Champion a safety-by-design and operability-focused engineering culture Provide engineering leadership for HAZIDs, HAZOPs, design reviews, and technical risk assessments Supply Chain, Manufacturing & Fleet Growth Manage relationships with external manufacturers, fabricators, and specialist suppliers Oversee fabrication, assembly, FAT/SAT, and acceptance of new equipment for the expanding fleet Support fleet standardization while enabling flexibility for R&D and future technology upgrades Develop spares strategies and technical documentation to support multiple vessels and systems Budget, Commercial & Growth Support Own the engineering budget covering R&D, new equipment development, and fleet support Provide technical input to tenders, proposals, and client engagement, particularly around seabed drilling capability Support CAPEX planning for new vessels, seabed drills, and next-generation tools Required Experience & Qualifications: Essential Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline Senior engineering leadership experience within offshore drilling, geotechnical, subsea, or offshore construction environments Proven experience developing seabed or subsea-deployed drilling and tooling systems Strong understanding of vessel-based operations and offshore equipment integration Track record of leading engineering teams and complex development programs Desirable Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Experience with seabed drilling, CPT, seabed sampling, or in-situ testing systems Experience leading R&D programs or test facilities for similar tooling and trenching equipment Familiarity with classification societies, offshore certification, and client acceptance processes Key Competencies: Strategic engineering leadership Seabed drilling and offshore equipment expertise Innovation and R&D management Risk-based design and decision-making Strong operational and commercial awareness Personal Attributes: Hands-on engineering leader with strategic vision Comfortable working across R&D, vessels, and offshore operations Decisive, pragmatic, and safety-focused Credible technical authority with strong communication skills What measured success looks like: Robust, scalable seabed drilling systems deployed across an expanding fleet Effective use of the R&D facility to deliver field-ready innovation to current & new clients High equipment reliability and reduced offshore downtime A motivated, capable engineering team supporting business growth globally Engineering capability that differentiates the company in the seabed drilling market This really is a one-of-one role and opportunity in general. We are looking for the very best talent to take this new team and business function forward. If you think you fit the bill and qualify against the above, get in touch with me directly for more information: james@lmoceans.com