Head of Engineering – Automotive/Vehicle/Manufacturing

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Head of OEM Engineering to lead and scale our client’s UK engineering-based organisation. As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible for overseeing technical projects, setting strategic direction, and driving engineering initiatives. This role requires a strong technical understanding of the Commercial, Agricultural and Off‑Highway markets, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record of building and managing project-based requirements in a fast‑paced environment.

This role will also support and coordinate the daily product engineering operations for the Commercial brand category.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the engineering requirements in alignment with company goals.
• Partner with the team members to align engineering initiatives with business objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Technical Execution

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of scalable, reliable, secure software/hardware infotainment systems.
• Ensure adherence to high technical standards, architecture best practices, and customer‑defined standards.
• Drive technical decision‑making and contribute to architectural discussions and reviews.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and grow a multi‑disciplinary engineering team.
• Establish clear performance expectations and development plans for engineering managers.

Process & Operations

• Implement engineering best practices including testing and documentation standards.
• Take responsibility for engineering budgets, resource planning, vendor selection, and technology investments.
• Monitor production, quality, and team health metrics to ensure operational integrity.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Sales, Design, QA, and other teams to deliver on time and within budget.
• Translate product requirements into robust engineering solutions.
• Act as a technical liaison between engineering and business stakeholders.

Requirements

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Consumer product knowledge in the Commercial Vehicle, Agriculture, and Off‑Highway sectors.
• Proactive in identifying and generating new product opportunities against sales and profitability targets.
• Build and manage new product development pipeline.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Attention to detail and self‑starter to meet business demands with limited supervision.
• Team player.

Education and Experience

• 5+ years’ experience leading product development teams.
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or similar required; Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration preferred.
• Proficiency with all Microsoft platforms and CAD design such as SolidWorks.
• Demonstrated ability to take a project from concept, through design and implementation.
• Ability to merge software, firmware and hardware into a complete, functional product/system.
• Self‑management, multitasking, and tracking of simultaneous ongoing projects in a fast‑paced environment.
• Effective communication at all levels, from engineering to board level.
• Understanding of various programming languages.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Location: Guildford, England, United Kingdom

Mayflower is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.