Head of Product Development

About the Role

Head of New Product Development
Westhill, Aberdeen or Inchinnan, Glasgow
Full-time, Permanent

Please note that this role requires security checks.

• Lead and monitor delivery across the NPD portfolio, ensuring progress aligns with agreed timelines and budgets.
• Drive accountability across project teams to deliver against plans through effective oversight and governance.
• Ensure consistent application of engineering processes and best practices throughout the function.
• Develop and maintain a clear NPD portfolio roadmap aligned to business strategy and priorities.
• Ensure full compliance with safety standards, stage‑gate governance, and customer requirements.
• Work closely with NPD Project Managers and Integrated Project Teams to ensure effective portfolio execution.
• Ensure all NPD activities meet regulatory, export control, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Track and deliver against key portfolio KPIs, including schedule, cost performance, and capability maturity.
• Champion continuous improvement in NPD through the use of lean, agile, and systems engineering approaches.
• Support the integration of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, autonomous systems, advanced materials) into product development pipelines.

• Proven experience delivering New Product Development (NPD), R&D or innovation projects.
• Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, develop, and guide high‑performing teams.
• Commercially astute, with an understanding of how engineering decisions impact business outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership style, with experience empowering teams and driving cross‑functional working.
• Experience operating within robust governance frameworks, ensuring compliance while delivering complex programmes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Degree‑qualified in Engineering (or equivalent), with Chartered Engineer status (or willingness to obtain), and experience within a technical IT environment; defence sector experience would be advantageous.

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.