Engineering Director

High-growth advanced technology and manufacturing business Our Client Our client is a high-growth advanced technology and manufacturing business based in Oxfordshire, developing innovative technology with significant global commercial potential. Following substantial investment in R&D and technology development, the business is entering an important phase of industrialisation and manufacturing scale-up. As the organisation continues to grow, it is investing in the leadership, engineering capability and infrastructure required to translate complex technology from R&D and pilot environments into robust, repeatable commercial manufacturing.

The Role The Engineering Director will lead and develop the engineering function, introducing the structure, standards, governance and delivery discipline required to support the organisation's next stage of growth. Working closely with R&D, Technology, Manufacturing and Operations, you will provide leadership across the full engineering lifecycle, from early-stage development and pilot activity through to industrialisation, CAPEX, equipment installation, commissioning and manufacturing ramp-up.

You will establish clear engineering standards and accountability, strengthen project and resource management, and ensure complex engineering programmes are delivered effectively against technical, commercial and operational objectives. This is a highly visible leadership position requiring someone who can operate strategically while remaining close enough to the detail to intervene, challenge and resolve issues when programmes require additional direction or pace.

About you You will be an experienced engineering leader from an advanced materials, chemicals, energy technology, process technology, high-tech manufacturing or similarly complex engineering environment. You will have a strong track record of leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and ideally have experienced the journey from R&D pilot industrialisation commercial-scale manufacturing. You are likely to bring experience across complex process equipment, CAPEX programmes, equipment specification and procurement, installation, commissioning and manufacturing scale-up, alongside a strong understanding of engineering governance, standards and project delivery.

Most importantly, you will be comfortable operating within a fast-growing technology business, bringing greater structure and accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy, and combining strong technical credibility with pragmatic, hands-on leadership.