Prototype Workshop Team Leader in Norwich

Based on-site at our Hethel Performance Hub in Norfolk, we are looking for a Prototype Workshop Team Leader to lead the team of technicians who build, commission, maintain and support prototype and development electric vehicles at MOTV's development and engineering centre in Hethel, Norfolk, planning builds and test programmes with engineering and making sure vehicles are ready for test when engineering needs them.

Reporting to the group CTO, you will be accountable for the performance, development and safety of the technician team, owning the HV safe systems of work, leading off-site test deployments in the UK and abroad, and protecting the confidentiality of our prototypes.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a skilled, hands-on team working on development vehicles from the earliest build stage, with real influence over how the workshop is run as MOTV's vehicle development programmes grow.

Lead and develop the team of technicians who build, commission, maintain and support prototype and development electric vehicles, and who support engineering test programmes at Hethel and at off-site test locations. You'll be a hands-on leader who plans the workload, keeps the team safe and makes sure vehicles are ready for test when engineering needs them.

Key Responsibilities

Team leadership

• Lead, coach and develop a team of prototype and test technicians, including rotas, workload allocation, performance reviews and training plans.
• Build a safe, high-standards team culture, and have a say in recruitment and onboarding. Cover technician duties hands-on where needed, including build, diagnostics and test support.

Build and test planning

• Work with engineering to plan and prioritise prototype builds, rebuilds and test programmes, and to set realistic timescales.
• Allocate technicians across build, test preparation, turnaround and off-site work, balancing priorities and resolving clashes.
• Make sure build issues, fitment problems and deviations are recorded and fed back to design and engineering.
• Oversee prototype vehicle build quality, build records, test vehicle logs and parts usage.

Off-site testing

• Plan and resource off-site test deployments in the UK and abroad, including technician cover, spares, tooling, vehicle transport and safe HV transport and storage.
• Lead on site where required, setting up temporary workshops and fixing problems at the roadside or trackside.
• Be available for overnight stays and weekend work as test programmes require.
• Safety, compliance and confidentiality
• Own the HV safe systems of work for the workshop, including isolation and lock-off, PPE, insulated tooling and damaged battery procedures.
• Authorise and supervise HV work, and keep technicians' HV training and authorisations up to date.
• Carry out risk assessments and keep workshop standards, records and tooling compliant. Protect prototype confidentiality, and make sure the team does too.

Workshop management

• Manage workshop tooling, equipment calibration, spares and consumables, and flag budget needs to management.
• Report regularly on workload, vehicle readiness, issues and resourcing.

Essential

• Level 3 Light Vehicle qualification (or equivalent), with OEM, prototype, motorsport or specialist vehicle experience.
• IMI TechSafe Level 4 HV, with experience as an HV Authorised Person or supervisor of HV work.
• Proven experience of leading or supervising technicians in a prototype, development or test environment.
• Hands-on experience of prototype or development vehicle builds and engineering test support.
• Experience of off-site testing and working away.
• Strong electrical diagnostics, including reading wiring diagrams, CAN and laptop-based tools.
• Full UK driving licence, a valid passport, and willingness to travel.

Desirable

Experience on low-volume, premium luxury, restomod or bespoke vehicle programmes. Experience with data acquisition and instrumentation, such as Vector or DEWESoft-type tools. Motorsport or track operations experience, and a track licence. Fabrication skills (TIG/MIG welding, machining). Towing licence. A formal leadership or management qualification.

What's On Offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• Pension
• Life assurance
• Group benefits package, including private medical insurance
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays