Head of MEICA – Engineering Design
We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Head of MEICA to join a dynamic Engineering Design team. This role can be based in Manchester, London, or Aberdeen, supporting a strong pipeline of secured work across multiple sectors.
As part of an ambitious growth strategy to become a leading engineering-led organisation, this role will lead the Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, and Control & Instrumentation (C&I) disciplines within an in-house Engineering Services function.
The Role
You will lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team, delivering complex engineering and design solutions across the Energy, Water, Nuclear, Defence, and Transportation sectors.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role, requiring not only strong leadership capability but also deep, credible engineering design experience and the ability to oversee and assure technical delivery both internally and across external partners.
You will work across the full project lifecycle—from tendering and pre-construction through to delivery and handover—ensuring engineering excellence, compliance, and commercial performance.
This role reports to the Group Director of Engineering Services and offers a hybrid working model, with occasional UK travel.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the Mechanical, Piping, Electrical and C&I engineering disciplines across multiple projects
Act as the senior technical authority, ensuring engineering designs are robust, compliant, and fit for purpose
Manage and coordinate internal teams and external design partners, ensuring alignment with project requirements
Oversee third-party designers and subcontractors, ensuring:
Technical approvals are robust and consistent
Designs meet client specifications and regulatory requirements
Resource capability and competency align with project complexity
Drive delivery against scope, budget, and programme
Forecast and manage resource requirements across disciplines
Communicate effectively with stakeholders on progress, risks, and delivery outcomes
Lead resolution of complex technical and delivery challenges
Embed best practice in safety, sustainability, and digital engineering
Support work-winning activity through technical input and value proposition development
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and lessons learned
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Critical Requirements (Key Differentiators)
Significant, hands-on engineering design experience within a relevant discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Piping or C&I) — this is essential to establish technical credibility
Proven experience managing third-party designers and subcontractors, including:
Technical governance and approvals
Ensuring compliance with client specifications and industry standards
Assessing and assuring resource capability and competency
Essential
Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams on complex infrastructure projects
Strong track record delivering engineering scopes to budget and programme
Experience in change management and value engineering
Ability to manage team workload, resource planning, and capability development
Strong technical understanding across multiple engineering disciplines
Experience engaging with stakeholders across project lifecycle phases
Demonstrated commitment to safety in design, sustainability, and/or digital innovation
Desirable
Experience developing engineering delivery models, workflows, or systems
Familiarity with information management and quality assurance frameworks
Qualifications
Chartered Engineer status (ICE, IMechE, IStructE, IET, CIOB, CIHT or equivalent)
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