At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations across multiple sites, ensuring safety and performance excellence.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on innovation and community service in the North East.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, performance bonus, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture that values continuous improvement and accountability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering while inspiring and empowering diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering with strong technical and people skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 € per year.
Location: North East Region (multi-site)
We’re looking for a commercially minded and people‑focused Head of Engineering to lead our North East region, driving operational excellence, safety performance, and team engagement across a diverse engineering network. This is a pivotal leadership role, overseeing multiple depots and a large workforce of engineers and technicians. You’ll play a key part in ensuring our fleet runs safely, reliably, and efficiently, supporting our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers and local communities every day.
What You’ll Do
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple engineering sites within the North East region.
- Ensure delivery of robust engineering standards, including vehicle safety, reliability, and compliance.
- Drive performance improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and asset utilisation.
- Develop and empower Depot Engineering Managers to build engaged, high‑performing teams.
- Lead on fleet modernisation, sustainability initiatives, and new technology integration.
- Manage budgets, maintenance planning, and performance reporting in line with company KPIs.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and safety‑first operations.
- Partner with Operations and Commercial teams to ensure engineering supports wider business goals.
What We’re Looking For
- A proven engineering leader with multi‑site or regional management experience.
- Strong technical knowledge of fleet maintenance (bus, coach, rail, HGV, or related sector).
- Excellent people leadership and coaching skills – able to engage, motivate, and develop teams.
- Commercially astute, with a track record of improving performance, cost control, and efficiency.
- Passionate about safety, quality, and customer service.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills at all levels.
- Relevant engineering qualification (HNC/HND or equivalent) desirable; management training advantageous.
Why join us
- Opportunity to shape and modernise engineering operations across a key region.
- Collaborative culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Competitive salary, car allowance, and performance bonus.
- Excellent benefits package and ongoing professional development.
If you’re ready to lead from the front, inspire your teams, and make a lasting impact across the North East engineering network — we’d love to hear from you.
Head of Engineering - North East in Ashington employer: Arriva Group
Join us as the Head of Engineering in the North East, where you'll lead a dynamic team across multiple sites, driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of safety and innovation. We offer a collaborative work environment that prioritises employee development, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the engineering sector. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to modernising our operations, you'll be at the forefront of shaping the future of our engineering network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering - North East in Ashington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in the North East. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to get your name out there and show off your passion for engineering.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its engineering operations. Understand their fleet and safety standards, and think about how you can contribute to their goals. We want you to shine when it comes to discussing your vision for operational excellence!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and driven performance improvements in previous roles. We love hearing about your coaching style and how you empower others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for candidates who are as passionate about engineering and safety as we are.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering - North East in Ashington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in multi-site management and any relevant engineering qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your leadership style and how you’ve driven performance improvements in previous roles. Let us know why you’re passionate about safety and customer service.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Quantify your achievements where possible, like cost savings or efficiency improvements. We love to see how you’ve made a difference in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arriva Group
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to fleet maintenance. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've improved safety and reliability in previous roles. This will show that you’re not just a people person, but also a solid engineering leader.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to share stories about how you've developed and empowered teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated your team to achieve high performance or implemented coaching strategies that led to success. This is crucial for a role that focuses on team engagement.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your experience with budget management and cost control. Highlight any initiatives you've led that improved efficiency or reduced costs. This will show that you understand the business side of engineering and can drive performance improvements.
✨Emphasise Safety and Continuous Improvement
Discuss your passion for safety and quality in operations. Prepare examples of how you've championed a culture of continuous improvement in your previous roles. This aligns perfectly with the company's commitment to safety-first operations and will resonate well with the interviewers.
