Head of Engineering

Company Description

At SWARCO, we're shaping the future of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). From connected infrastructure and traffic management to smart mobility and EV charging, our technology keeps people moving safely and efficiently.

Head of Engineering – UK & Ireland

Location: Flexible – Hybrid

Salary: Competitive

We're looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Engineering to lead our UK & Ireland Engineering function, with responsibility expanding across the Middle East. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future direction of engineering within a global technology business while playing a pivotal role in modernising transport infrastructure.

This position has been created to ensure a successful transition ahead of the planned retirement of our current Head of Engineering in 2027, providing an extensive handover period and the opportunity to shape the future of the function.

Reporting to the Head of Region UK & Ireland + Middle East, you'll provide strategic leadership across all engineering activities, ensuring our engineering capability, technology roadmap and delivery align with both regional business objectives and SWARCO's global strategy.

You'll lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across hardware, software, systems and product development, driving innovation while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, compliance and operational excellence.

• Developing and delivering the regional engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Leading engineering teams across Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), including Urban, Interurban and EV Charging technologies.
• Driving the transition from legacy infrastructure to scalable, AI-enabled technology solutions.
• Working closely with SWARCO's global Technology Services Group (TSG) and international engineering teams to align standards, architecture and product development.
• Leading Agile transformation and embedding modern engineering practices to improve delivery performance.
• Establishing robust engineering governance, estimation frameworks and performance KPIs.
• Managing engineering budgets, resource planning and long‑term capability development.
• Supporting product development throughout the entire product lifecycle alongside the Head of Products & Solutions.
• Identifying opportunities to introduce emerging technologies including AI, IoT and automation.
• Ensuring engineering activities meet all statutory, regulatory, cybersecurity and quality requirements.
• Supporting business development activities through technical leadership on bids, customer engagement and strategic opportunities.
• Developing future engineering talent through coaching, succession planning and leadership development.

What you'll bring

We're looking for an inspirational engineering leader with significant experience operating within complex engineering, infrastructure or transport technology environments.

• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
• Professional Engineering qualification or membership of a recognised Engineering Institution.
• Significant senior engineering leadership experience with responsibility for engineering strategy, delivery and operational performance.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through organisational growth and change.
• Strong understanding of modern software‑enabled infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud technologies and systems integration.
• Experience establishing engineering governance, standards and best practice.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting customer bids and technical proposals.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience working across international and matrix organisations.
• Outstanding leadership, communication and people development skills.

• Experience with in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Traffic Management or Smart Mobility.
• Knowledge of AI, IoT, Connected Infrastructure or Computer Vision technologies.
• Experience implementing Agile delivery methodologies.
• Experience working across international engineering…