Technical Engineering People Lead

Job Title: Technical Engineering People Lead
Location: Rugeley
Salary: Competitive

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional engineering leader to take responsibility for the leadership, development and performance of multiple multidisciplinary engineering departments within a complex technical organisation.

This is a role for a leader who understands that managing highly capable engineers requires more than technical knowledge or traditional line management. You will be working with experienced specialists, recognised subject-matter experts and established technical authorities who take pride in their expertise, value their independence and are accustomed to operating autonomously.

The successful candidate will combine outstanding people leadership with sufficient technical understanding to engage credibly with experienced engineers, ask the right questions and make informed decisions. You will know when to challenge, when to coach, when to delegate and when to make a difficult decision.

This is an opportunity for a world-class leader who can elevate the performance of an already technically capable workforce, develop future engineering leaders and create an environment in which exceptional people consistently deliver exceptional results.

Key Responsibilities

Multidisciplinary Engineering Leadership

• Lead multiple engineering departments and disciplines, aligning priorities, resources and capability with business objectives.
• Set a clear vision, establish shared goals and promote collaboration across technical teams.
• Build strong relationships with senior engineers, technical authorities and business leaders.
• Balance technical autonomy with organisational alignment, consistency and accountability.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, motivate and develop experienced engineers, technical specialists and emerging leaders.
• Build trust and credibility with highly independent experts, adapting your leadership style to different personalities.
• Coach and mentor individuals, strengthen capability and develop future engineering leaders.
• Set clear expectations, provide constructive feedback and address performance issues effectively.
• Support workforce planning, talent retention, succession planning and professional development.

Leadership, Influence & Accountability

• Manage strong personalities and competing opinions, encouraging constructive technical debate while preventing conflict and siloed working.
• Challenge established thinking and behaviours with confidence, sound judgement and professional credibility.
• Resolve disputes, address underperformance and hold individuals accountable while respecting technical expertise.
• Influence and gain commitment through trust, emotional intelligence and decisive leadership.

Essential Experience & Attributes

We are looking for a proven leader who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, departments or functions within a technically complex environment.
• A track record of managing experienced engineers, senior specialists and strong technical personalities.
• Evidence of improving team performance, engagement, collaboration and accountability.
• Experience leading managers, team leaders or senior technical professionals, ideally across multiple departments.
• The ability to challenge, influence and gain commitment from individuals who may not naturally welcome direction.
• Confidence in addressing difficult people issues, including underperformance and unhelpful behaviours.
• The ability to engage credibly with technical experts, understand complex engineering challenges and make sound leadership decisions.
• A leadership style that combines emotional intelligence, resilience, fairness, decisiveness and personal accountability.

Desirable Experience

• Leadership experience in aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, automotive, energy, maritime, nuclear or another safety-critical engineering environment.
• Responsibility for multiple disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, electronic, systems, software, manufacturing, test or design engineering.
• Experience managing department heads, principal engineers, technical authorities or chartered engineering professionals.
• An engineering degree or equivalent technical background; relevant professional registration or chartership would be advantageous.

***PLEASE NOTE***

Current and active Security Clearance (SC) is required to be considered for this vacancy

Services advertised by Gold Group are those of an Agency and/or an Employment Business.
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