Director of Engineering
Business, Location:
Oxford
Role:
Director of Engineering
Reports to:
Managing Director
Key relationships:
Engineering Functional Managers, Programme Managers
Primary Purpose
As a member of the Executive Team, the Director of Engineering will play an important role in growing the business through the successful delivery of an ambitious new product development roadmap and developing a progressive engineering culture.
As a key leader with a reputation for delivery, the Director of Engineering will ensure competitive quality, cost, feature and performance differentiation and optimal time to market. With a global reach, they will work to maximise team engagement and capability development.
Key Responsibilities
* Contribute to the overall strategy and direction of the Company across all business functions
* Set and deliver the vision and strategy for the evolution of the Engineering function
* Establish and maintain Product and Technology Roadmaps, resource profiles, budgets, aligned to Company Strategy (Medium Term Plan)
* Execute technology projects and ensure seamless integration into operations
* Deliver product roadmap plans using NPI and stage gate processes alongside project managers
* Report status of NPI and technology projects to senior stakeholders and the wider organisation
* Interface effectively with Operations, Sales, Marketing, Technology and Finance to ensure smooth product transitions
* Provide clear leadership and inspire multidisciplinary engineering teams
* Drive KPIs across Engineering to ensure projects are delivered on time, cost and quality targets
* Implement Lean and Continuous Improvement across engineering activities
* Provide technical support to Production, Sales and Marketing
* Own engineering and R&D cost centres, including financial oversight of NPI and technology projects
* Support IP processes and ensure appropriate governance and quality standards
* Build strong external partnerships with suppliers and customers
* Undertake additional duties as reasonably required
* Maintain responsibility for health, safety and environmental compliance
Indicative Performance Measures
* Efficient use of resources in project delivery
* On-time, in-full delivery
* Product quality and reliability
* Effective supplier and customer delivery management
* Team capability, engagement, and innovation
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
* Degree in a science or engineering discipline (or equivalent experience)
Professional Skills / Abilities
* Proven engineering leadership within a global organisation
* Strong people leadership and development capability
* Ability to contribute strategically and operate in detail when needed
* Experience driving product development and engineering culture
* Commercially focused with strong delivery into production
* Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programmes (hardware & software)
* Budget ownership and financial control expertise
* Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
* Technical authority with a focus on quality and business needs
* Proven ability to lead change and continuous improvement
Personal Qualities
* Resilience in a complex, high-tech environment
* Strong communication skills
* High credibility and influencing ability
* Tenacity and decisiveness
* Experience operating successfully in complex organisations
Leadership Framework
Values
* Adapt – Remain flexible and open to new ideas
* Collaborate – Work cross-functionally to drive better outcomes
* Commit – Bring accountability and energy to delivery
* Trust – Operate with integrity, transparency, and reliability
Managing Yourself
* Emotional intelligence
* Managing uncertainty
* Leading change
* Cultural awareness
Managing People
* Team leadership and collaboration
* Influencing stakeholders
* Driving engagement
* Performance management
* Developing others
* Empowering teams
* Effective communication
Managing Results
* Planning and delivery
* Innovation
* Timely decision making
* Business strategy alignment
* Commercial awareness
* Customer and market focus