At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams, shape strategy, and drive business growth in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Encompass Engineering, a growing consultancy focused on technical excellence and people-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, pension contributions, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to influence industry standards.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the engineering sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering, senior leadership experience, and chartered engineer status required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At Encompass Engineering, we believe our people are the reason for our success.
As a growing engineering consultancy, we combine technical excellence with a collaborative, people-first culture, giving our team the opportunity to make a genuine impact for our customers and the wider industry.
If you’re looking for a senior leadership role where you can influence strategy, shape engineering excellence, build lasting customer relationships and help drive business growth, this is an opportunity to make a real difference.
About Encompass Engineering
Encompass Engineering is a specialist engineering consultancy providing technical assurance and quality support for new build rolling stock and rolling stock modification programmes.
We work with owners, operators and manufacturers across the UK and internationally, supporting projects from design and requirements management through to testing, manufacturing, acceptance and entry into service.
As Encompass Engineering continues to grow, we are looking to strengthen our leadership team to support the next phase of our development and help deliver our long-term ambitions.
The Role
We are seeking a commercially minded Head of Engineering to lead our engineering team, support the delivery of key customer projects and play a key role in business growth.
This is a leadership position for someone who combines strong engineering expertise with the ability to develop customer relationships, identify opportunities and secure new business.
Alongside leading our engineering team, you will work closely with the senior leadership team to shape strategy, expand our market presence and contribute to the continued growth of the company.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership
- Help define the strategic direction of the company.
- Develop and deliver the engineering and technical strategy.
- Work with the wider leadership team to deliver the company’s strategic objectives.
- Identify areas for improvement to enhance technical and engineering performance.
- Work with the wider leadership team to develop and monitor meaningful business and engineering performance measures.
- Engineering Leadership
- Lead, develop and manage the engineering team.
- Enhance and expand the company’s engineering and technical capabilities.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight across projects and internal initiatives.
- Support the successful delivery of key customer projects, providing technical guidance and expertise where required.
- Lead and support the development of engineers through mentoring and coaching.
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Business Development & Market Growth
- Develop existing customer relationships while identifying new business opportunities.
- Build strong relationships with customers, partners and industry stakeholders.
- Identify, pursue and secure new work opportunities across rail and related markets.
- Support and contribute to tender submissions, proposals and bids.
- Arrange and lead meetings with prospective customers and strategic partners.
- Promote the company’s services, anticipating customer needs and market trends.
- Provide ongoing customer support and relationship management following project delivery.
- Enhance Encompass Engineering’s profile within the UK and international markets.
- Support marketing and business development initiatives to increase brand awareness.
- Key Skills
- Leadership & Commercial Experience
- A minimum of 10 years’ experience in engineering functions, including proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role.
- Proven experience leading and developing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience developing engineering capability, technical strategy and business growth initiatives.
- Strong commercial awareness, with proven experience in customer relationship management, business development and winning new business.
- Ability to influence and build relationships with customer and industry stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
- Technical & Industry Knowledge
- Degree qualified in an engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status required.
- Knowledge of at least one of the following sectors: UK rail, defence or aerospace.
- Knowledge of the Canadian and US rail markets desirable.
- Knowledge of related engineering sectors advantageous.
- Personal Attributes & Skills
- Excellent planning, organisational and time management abilities.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
- Additional Information
- Travel as required to fulfil the requirements of the role.
- Flexible working arrangements with a minimum of three days per week in the office.
- Remuneration
- Salary: Dependent on qualifications and relevant experience.
- Annual bonus linked to company performance.
- Pension contribution.
- 21 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 23 days with length of service.
The closing date for applications is 14 August, 2026.
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Head of Engineering employer: Encompass Engineering
At Encompass Engineering, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and people-first culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the engineering sector. As a growing consultancy based in the UK, we offer exceptional benefits including flexible working arrangements, a competitive salary with performance-linked bonuses, and opportunities for professional growth through mentoring and leadership development. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise will shape the future of engineering excellence and business growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Engineering role you’re after at Encompass Engineering.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Encompass Engineering a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Encompass Engineering.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Engineering at Encompass Engineering, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Engineering, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Encompass Engineering a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Encompass Engineering specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Encompass Engineering
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Encompass Engineering, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Encompass Engineering want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
