Head of product engineering

A successful and growing manufacturing business is seeking a Head of Product Engineering to lead its product development function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of its product portfolio. This is an opportunity to influence business strategy, drive innovation and lead a talented team of engineers working on the development, validation and implementation of market-leading products. Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will combine strategic leadership with hands-on technical expertise, ensuring engineering activities deliver safe, compliant, high-quality products while supporting wider business objectives. Your responsibilities will include: * Defining and implementing the engineering strategy in line with business and product goals. * Establishing engineering standards, methodologies, and processes that drive a right-first-time culture. * Leading engineering activities from concept and research through design, verification, validation, and manufacturing implementation. * Owning technical decision-making, product performance, materials selection, and engineering governance. * Driving product improvement, value engineering, and continuous innovation across existing and future product ranges. * Ensuring compliance with relevant standards, regulations, and industry requirements. * Leading design reviews, engineering change processes, risk assessments, and technical file management. * Collaborating with programme management, product management, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and external partners to deliver successful outcomes. * Supporting research programmes and technology development initiatives that strengthen long-term business capability. * Creating and protecting intellectual property while maintaining robust technical documentation. Our client is seeking someone with a record of leading engineering teams and delivering complex products within a highly regulated manufacturing environment. You'll ideally bring: * Degree qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. * Significant experience leading engineering and product development teams. * A strong background in delivering products within highly regulated industries. * Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes including injection moulding, extrusion, machining, and related production techniques. * Strong understanding of verification and validation, design for manufacture, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, risk management and product lifecycle management. * Experience using 3D CAD, CAE, and PDM systems such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Vault. * Excellent leadership, coaching, and people development skills. * Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical, operational, and business priorities. Our client is offering a competitive numeration package up to £75,000, 25 days holiday stats, company pension and other benefits