Director of Quality Innovation (Permanent)

Inspired is a market leading, technology-enabled provider of energy and sustainability solutions in the UK - supporting businesses to transition to net zero carbon and manage their response to climate change. We are now the UK’s number one destination for businesses seeking expert insight and advisory services to help them manage their energy costs, reduce their carbon emissions and prove their net zero carbon and ESG strategies to their investors and customers.

We are looking for a Director of Engineering to join our successful Optimisation Team. This is a home based role with occasional travel to offices required. The Director of Engineering is responsible for leading Inspired Optimisation’s engineering function, ensuring the delivery of safe, innovative, commercially viable and technically robust energy solutions that support clients on their journey to Net Zero Carbon.

As a member of the Optimisation Leadership Team, the Director of Engineering provides strategic direction, technical governance and engineering leadership across the full lifecycle of energy infrastructure projects and programmes. The role is accountable for engineering excellence, technical risk management, solution development, engineering capability and the establishment of scalable engineering standards that support business growth.

The Director of Engineering will lead the development and deployment of solutions across a broad range of technologies including Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Building Management Systems (BMS), Heat Pumps, Lighting, Energy Efficiency and emerging distributed energy technologies. The role acts as the organisation’s senior engineering authority, ensuring engineering decisions balance technical integrity, commercial outcomes, operational practicality and client value.

• Lead and develop the Engineering function in support of Inspired Optimisation’s strategic growth objectives.
• Contribute as a member of the Optimisation Leadership Team, helping shape business strategy, investment priorities and organisational capability.
• Develop and implement the engineering roadmap required to support future growth and market expansion.
• Establish a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Represent the Engineering function internally and externally with clients, partners, suppliers and industry stakeholders.

• Own the engineering governance framework across all Optimisation solutions and delivery programmes.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, technical policies, design review procedures and approval processes.
• Ensure appropriate technical assurance and engineering sign-off throughout project lifecycles.
• Act as the senior escalation point for engineering risks, technical disputes and design challenges.
• Maintain compliance with all relevant engineering, regulatory, safety and quality standards.
• Ensure engineering solutions optimise technical performance, commercial return, operational deliverability and carbon reduction outcomes.
• Drive consistency in engineering methodologies, calculations, assumptions and technical documentation.

• Provide engineering oversight and assurance across project execution and commissioning activities.
• Ensure engineering risks are identified, managed and mitigated throughout project delivery.
• Support resolution of technical issues impacting project performance, programme delivery or client outcomes.
• Work closely with Project Management, Operations, Procurement and Delivery teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Champion lessons learned and continuous improvement across the project portfolio.
• Develop the engineering capability required to support the growth of the business.
• Lead recruitment, succession planning, performance management and professional development activities across the Engineering function.
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and subject matter experts.
• Promote effective collaboration across Engineering, Sales, Growth, Project Management and Operations teams.

• Support achievement of business growth, profitability and operational performance objectives.
• Provide engineering input into commercial strategy, bid development and key client opportunities.
• Ensure technical decisions are aligned with commercial objectives and risk appetite.
• Contribute to budget planning, resource forecasting and investment decisions.
• Drive engineering input into Inspired’s behind-the-meter and energy transition strategy.
• Assess emerging technologies, regulatory developments and market opportunities.
• Position Inspired Optimisation as a market-leading engineering-led energy solutions provider.

Read and comply with the company Health & Safety Policy; taking reasonable care for the Health & Safety of themselves and others.

Proven senior engineering leadership experience within energy infrastructure, renewable energy, building services or energy solutions environments. Demonstrable experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams. Strong track record of delivering complex energy and infrastructure projects. Experience developing engineering governance, assurance and quality management frameworks. Experience balancing technical excellence with commercial outcomes. Degree qualified in Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering or a related technical discipline. Demonstrable experience operating in a senior engineering leadership role within the energy, infrastructure, building services, renewables or energy solutions sector. Strong understanding of engineering governance, technical assurance and engineering risk management. Working knowledge of relevant UK engineering, health & safety and regulatory standards applicable to energy infrastructure projects.

Training and development opportunities, Company pension, Life insurance.