Head of Engineering

About the role We are hiring a Head of Engineering to steer our team through cutting-edge projects in the underwater domain. JFD has a 40 year reputation pioneering trusted, proven and reliable products, systems and services to Divers and Submariners. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious Engineering professional to join us on our journey into the future as we embark on some exciting projects into 2024 and beyond and elevate their career in the process In this role you will lead safe and effective execution across our entire product range, including commercial diving apparatus, submersibles such as tactical diving vehicles and submarine rescue vehicles and equipment supplied to submarine platforms. This role is ideal for a Senior Engineering professional who has previous experience delivering big projects and leading multidisciplinary teams on a global scale.

As the Head of Engineering, you will be responsible for the following:

• Lead JFD’s Engineering function globally, implementing the strategy for the function.
• Functional management of all engineering teams and direct management of all engineering teams except for our home markets.
• Functional / professional leadership of engineering personnel in our home markets.
• Define and manage JFD’s engineering management systems, governance, standards and processes.
• Accountable for ensuring engineering deliver with a balanced view of requirements versus solution against key discriminators, such as safety, quality, operability, supportability and cost.
• Provide technical leadership and robust decision making on complex and varied engineering risks and solutions.
• Implement and champion continuous improvement, driving a Lean culture and performance, supported by robust performance monitoring.
• Work with the Head of Supply Chain to ensure supply chain inputs to our engineering are sustainable, competitive, innovative, timely and compliant.
• Ensure health, safety, environment, sustainability and security objectives are achieved, with direct responsibility for safety of engineering personnel and the safe design, validation and certification of our products for customers and other stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, supported by Legal & Compliance and HSEQS departments.
• Lead the engineering team, achieving high levels of engagement, promoting a resilient, diverse, high performing team.

What do you need?

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Degree qualified in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Post-graduate or professional qualification, e.g. chartered engineer status.
• Lean training desirable but not essential.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role for engineering in an international business.
• Business and commercial acumen
• Setting and delivering medium and long term strategy, budget and resource plans
• Experience of the Defence and / or Maritime sector (desirable)
• Flexible and able to meet international travel requirements from time-to-time.

Working for us

We offer a number of benefits including Group Personal Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, Private Medical Insurance and competitive salary and benefit packages.

James Fisher & Sons are committed to taking positive action on diversity and we strongly encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and as a Disability Confident employer we are committed to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

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