At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering strategy and governance for sustainable energy projects across multiple sites.
- Company: Market-leading developer in sustainable energy and circular economy infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for site visits across the UK.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering company driving the UK's transition to net zero and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering management within regulated industries and strong design authority.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 95000 £ per year.
Location: Central UK / Midlands & South East (Multi-site focus, hybrid working)
Package: £90,000 to £95,000 + Car Allowance + Bonus + Benefits
Role Type: Permanent, Full-time
The Business
Our client is a market-leading, multi-site UK developer and operator of sustainable energy and circular economy infrastructure. At the forefront of the UK’s transition to net zero, they transform resources into green power, biomethane, and renewable energy across an expanding nationwide asset portfolio.
The Role: Strategic Engineering Leadership
Reporting directly to the Projects Director, this is a high-level, governance-led mandate for a proven engineering leader. Rather than focusing on day-to-day drawing delivery or detailed calculation work, you will operate as the supreme Design Authority for the business—setting engineering standards, driving multi-site strategy, and establishing disciplined design governance across all operational assets and capital development projects. You will provide cross-functional leadership across central operations, project delivery teams, site managers, and external contractors. Additionally, you will hold direct line-management responsibility for the corporate CAD and design function, coaching team members, managing workload allocation, and embedding modern drawing control processes across the group.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Engineering & Master Planning: Formulate and maintain long-term site expansion and development strategies across all facilities. Assess site layouts, infrastructure, space, and capacity to maximize potential, optimize energy output, and support commercial growth.
- Design Authority & Technical Governance: Establish, own, and enforce corporate engineering standards. Chair structured design reviews, oversee complex technical models (mass balances, P&IDs, process flow diagrams), and hold site teams and EPC contractors accountable to rigid standards.
- Team Leadership & CAD Management: Provide direct line management, mentorship, and workload planning for the central CAD/BIM function. Drive drawing quality control, version management, and document registers, fostering a culture of continuous development and technical excellence.
- Process Safety & Regulatory Leadership: Set the tone for process safety governance across the business. Direct or support HAZOPs for major projects, enforce Control of Change (CoC) frameworks, and ensure complete compliance with COMAH, DSEAR, ATEX, and safe-access regulations.
- Stakeholder & Contractor Influence: Act as the primary technical leader across internal divisions (Operations, Compliance, Projects) and external bodies (regulators, specialist suppliers, and planning authorities). Translate complex engineering concepts into clear strategic decisions for non-technical stakeholders.
- Principal Designer Oversight (CDM 2015): Take on Principal Designer responsibilities for major projects during pre-construction phases, ensuring design risk management and statutory health and safety files are delivered seamlessly.
- Commercial Innovation: Lead the evaluation and adoption of emerging process technologies, digital monitoring, and new revenue streams, building structured business cases for future energy solutions.
What We Are Looking For
We are seeking an influential, highly credible engineering manager who combines executive presence with technical authority. You should be a collaborative leader capable of bringing operations, project delivery, and commercial teams together under a unified engineering strategy.
Key Requirements:
- Proven Leadership Record: Strong track record as an Engineering Manager, Head of Function, or Technical Authority managing multi-site operations, team workloads, and corporate governance frameworks.
- Regulated Industry Background: Leadership experience within a process-driven, high-hazard, or regulated infrastructure environment (e.g., Biogas/Biomethane, Industrial Gases, Utilities, Energy, Waste-to-Energy, Circular Economy, or Chemicals).
- Design Authority Credibility: Senior process or design engineering background with the maturity to set, approve, and hold others accountable to process design standards (mass balances, P&IDs, design reviews).
- Safety Leadership: Credible experience embedding process safety governance, Control of Change, and HAZOP oversight across multi-site operating teams (COMAH/DSEAR/ATEX).
- People Management & Coaching: Demonstrated success in line-managing technical staff or drawing office/CAD functions, improving processes and team performance over time.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to visit operating sites across the UK.
Head of Engineering employer: Morgan McKinley
Morgan McKinley offers an exceptional work environment for a Terraform & AWS DevOps Engineer, providing the opportunity to collaborate with a leading UK insurance and financial services company. Employees benefit from a culture of innovation and support, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic, multi-vendor setting. The company's commitment to employee well-being and career advancement makes it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
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 Morgan McKinley.
✨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 Morgan McKinley 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 Morgan McKinley.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Engineering at Morgan McKinley, 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 Morgan McKinley 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 Morgan McKinley 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 Morgan McKinley
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Morgan McKinley, 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 Morgan McKinley 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.
