At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering for a unique fleet of heritage rolling stock and ensure operational excellence.
- Company: Join a leading luxury transportation and hospitality operator in London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, generous leave, private medical insurance, and travel perks.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a commitment to equal opportunities for all.
- Why this job: Shape engineering strategy and make a real impact on prestigious luxury rail journeys.
- Qualifications: Significant engineering leadership experience and strong asset management expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 78000 £ per year.
Chief Engineer
The Opportunity
A leading luxury transportation and hospitality operator is seeking an experienced
Chief Engineer to join its senior leadership team.
This is a rare opportunity to lead the engineering function for a unique fleet of heritage rolling stock, supporting some of the most prestigious luxury rail journeys in the UK.
As part of a planned succession programme, the successful candidate will work alongside the current postholder during a structured handover period, ensuring continuity of knowledge, operational excellence, and long‑term fleet performance.
This is a confidential appointment and a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for engineering strategy, fleet reliability, compliance, and depot operations.
Location
London
Working Pattern
Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm (flexibility around start and finish times)
Package
- Up to 25% bonus
- 7% employer pension contribution
- 33 days annual leave
- Private medical insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Excellent travel and hospitality‑related employee benefits
The Role
Reporting to senior management, the Chief Engineer will be responsible for the engineering management, maintenance, and ongoing development of a specialist heritage rolling stock fleet.
The role will lead depot operations, oversee maintenance and overhaul programmes, and ensure the fleet is operated safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
Working within a high‑profile and quality‑driven environment, the successful candidate will help shape engineering strategy, improve asset performance, and maintain exceptional standards across the operation.
Key Responsibilities
- Fleet & Asset Management
- Lead the engineering management of a heritage rolling stock fleet.
- Ensure fleet availability, reliability, and performance targets are achieved.
- Develop and deliver engineering strategies, investment plans, upgrades, and improvement programmes.
- Drive asset condition monitoring and long‑term sustainability initiatives.
- Support continuous enhancement of fleet performance and reliability.
- Maintenance & Overhaul Management
- Manage planned maintenance, overhaul activities, and fleet modification programmes.
- Oversee major overhaul programmes and associated engineering projects.
- Ensure preventative maintenance plans are effectively developed and delivered.
- Manage the sourcing of components, materials, and specialist services required to support fleet operations.
- Depot Leadership
- Lead day‑to‑day engineering and depot operations.
- Manage, develop, and support multi‑disciplined engineering teams.
- Oversee workforce planning, rostering, and resource allocation.
- Foster a high‑performance culture focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Safety, Compliance & Governance
- Ensure full compliance with engineering, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain robust engineering governance and assurance standards.
- Promote a proactive safety culture across all engineering activities.
- Support internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.
- Continuous Improvement
- Drive fleet reliability and performance improvement initiatives.
- Enhance maintenance practices and project delivery processes.
- Implement continuous improvement methodologies across the operation.
- Monitor supplier and contractor performance to ensure value and service excellence.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate
- Significant engineering leadership or management experience.
- Experience within rolling stock, rail, transportation, or another asset‑intensive engineering environment.
- Strong maintenance, overhaul, and asset management expertise.
- Mechanical engineering knowledge and sound maintenance principles.
- Relevant engineering qualifications (Degree, HND/HNC, Chartered Engineer status, or equivalent).
- Experience managing engineering teams and operational environments.
- Strong understanding of safety management, compliance, and engineering governance.
- A proven track record of improving operational performance and delivering continuous improvement initiatives.
- Suitable Backgrounds
Candidates may currently be working as
- Engineering Manager
- Head of Engineering
- Fleet Manager
- Depot Manager
- Rolling Stock Engineering Manager
- Maintenance Manager
- Senior Engineering Manager
Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers.
We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on‑going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination.
We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Engineer in London
✨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 Chief Engineer role you’re after at Ford.
✨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 Ford 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 Ford.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Chief Engineer at Ford, 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 Chief Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Chief Engineer, 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 Ford 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 Ford 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 Ford
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Ford, 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 Ford 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.
