Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering

Westhill, Aberdeenshire or Inchinnan, Glasgow

Full-time, Permanent

Security checks required.

This role is pivotal to the successful delivery of projects, product line extensions, and in‑service support contracts. It will build and lead a high‑performing international engineering team to develop cutting‑edge products and deliver best‑in‑class aftermarket support. By driving execution and meeting contractual commitments, the role will play a key part in improving overall business performance.

• Leading and tracking engineering delivery, ensuring progress aligns with agreed timelines and budgets.
• Driving accountability across engineering teams to consistently deliver against plans, with clear oversight and governance.
• Embedding strong engineering discipline by ensuring adherence to processes and best practices across the function.
• Developing and managing resource plans and budgets in line with strategic business priorities.
• Ensuring full compliance with safety standards, stage‑gate governance, and customer requirements.
• Strengthening team capability through targeted development, training, and strategic hiring.
• Monitoring and delivering against key portfolio KPIs, including schedule, cost, and capability maturity.
• Championing a culture of continuous improvement, applying lean, agile, and systems engineering principles.
• Enabling innovation by supporting the integration of emerging technologies (such as AI, autonomous systems, and advanced materials) into product development.

• Proven experience leading a multi‑disciplinary engineering function across a range of products or programmes.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering complex engineering 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.

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.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida.