At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development and shape the future of engineering solutions.
- Company: Join James Fisher, a global leader in engineering services with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with clear career development pathways and global operations.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety and innovation while driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in NPD and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This role is central to shaping and delivering JFD’s New Product Development (NPD) portfolio. It is responsible for creating a clear and compelling pipeline of innovation that will define our future capability, deliver cutting-edge solutions for our customers, and fuel sustainable business growth. By bringing new products to market that align with customer needs and strategic priorities, this role will play a key part in driving commercial success.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and monitor delivery across the NPD portfolio, ensuring progress aligns with agreed timelines and budgets.
- Drive accountability across project teams to deliver against plans through effective oversight and governance.
- Ensure consistent application of engineering processes and best practices throughout the function.
- Develop and maintain a clear NPD portfolio roadmap aligned to business strategy and priorities.
- Ensure full compliance with safety standards, stage-gate governance, and customer requirements.
- Work closely with NPD Project Managers and Integrated Project Teams to ensure effective portfolio execution.
- Ensure all NPD activities meet regulatory, export control, and cybersecurity requirements.
- Track and deliver against key portfolio KPIs, including schedule, cost performance, and capability maturity.
- Champion continuous improvement in NPD through the use of lean, agile, and systems engineering approaches.
- Support the integration of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, autonomous systems, advanced materials) into product development pipelines.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience delivering New Product Development (NPD), R&D, or innovation projects.
- Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, develop, and guide high-performing teams.
- Commercially astute, with an understanding of how engineering decisions impact business outcomes.
- Collaborative leadership style, with experience empowering teams and driving cross-functional working.
- Experience operating within robust governance frameworks, ensuring compliance while delivering complex programmes.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent), with Chartered Engineer status (or willingness to obtain), and experience within a technical IT environment; defence sector experience would be advantageous.
Why join us?
- Early finish on Fridays
- Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
- Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
- Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
- Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations
James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.
If this sounds like the ideal next step in your career, then click ‘apply’ now!
At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.
Head of New Product Development in Aberdeen employer: James Fisher and Sons
At James Fisher, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Westhill, Aberdeen or Inchinnan, Glasgow, where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our inclusive culture values individual contributions and provides clear pathways for career development, alongside a competitive salary and benefits package that includes private medical insurance and a cycle to work scheme. Join us to engage in meaningful work that impacts safety and innovation across global operations, all while enjoying an early finish on Fridays.
