Chief Engineer - Energy & Utilities in Coventry

The role involves delivering projects through our Technology & Industrial Sectors, where the former develops promising research ideas into innovative manufacturing value propositions. These are tailored and managed to achieve commercial impact by MTC’s dedicated Industrial sectors. The Chief Engineer reports to the Sector Director in a matrix organisation that includes the Technology Director. There are various sectors and key accounts that play an increasingly important role within the Power, Energy and Utilities Sector. As a critical enabler of the UK’s net-zero economy, the MTC has ambitious plans to establish itself as the natural Catapult partner for identified sectors.

The Chief Engineer is expected to bring technical knowledge and understanding of the key challenges facing these sectors. An understanding of, or previous engagement with, key players within each of the sub-sectors would be highly advantageous. The purpose of the Chief Engineer’s role is to provide overall management of the technology-related aspects of the projects the sector delivers to meet the needs of MTC’s external clients. Specifically, this involves:

• Understanding our client’s problems and how MTC can support their resolution.
• Developing roadmaps that describe how to enhance a client’s capability.
• Providing technical governance to all aspects of the sector’s project portfolio.
• Reviewing technical proposals ensuring objectives are correct, risk is accounted for, and delivery timelines are appropriate.
• Keeping continually informed on and helping to shape advances in MTC capability.
• Informing the Technology Sector’s Chief Engineers of industry challenges that need fundamental new research and innovation work, indicating potential market opportunities and new skills required.
• Liaising with the Technology Sector’s Chief Engineers and Technology Managers to understand MTC’s technology roadmaps and pipeline of innovation.
• Contributing to or defining the forward strategy for Resource Management and participating or leading corporate initiatives as required.
• Working collaboratively with Senior Managers and Managers from other key functions to understand and shape current and future capability requirements and product offerings.
• Driving continuous improvement in technical aspects of MTC’s project delivery capability.
• Identifying and recommending improvements to processes, policies or procedures based on practical experience and feedback.
• Exploring opportunities for improvement or innovation in areas of product development, technology management, resource management or organisational management.

You will be a post-graduate calibre engineer, technologist, or scientist with an understanding of the breadth of Engineering technologies and their respective manufacturing industrial applications across the Technology theme. A range of management and leadership skills along with knowledge and experience relating to this management role is essential. At least five years of practical engineering experience in a manufacturing environment related to Aerospace, Power, Energy or Utilities projects is advantageous. A broad knowledge of modern manufacturing technologies and experience of delivering projects within the Aerospace, Power or Energy Sectors is required. You should be commercially aware to inform decisions that de-risk benefits to MTC and customers.

Person Specification:

• Working flexibly to support clients’ needs with a variety of people and sub-sectors.
• A range of experience in leadership and management in R&D.
• An ability to manage relationships with internal & external stakeholders.
• Capability in communicating effectively with colleagues at all levels in the business.
• Recognised expertise both internally and externally within your field, probably as a chartered engineer or scientist and Fellow of an appropriate institution.
• Leadership capability, resilient and courageous in the face of continuous change and growth.
• A good decision-making capability, demonstrating diligent agility in managing concurrent tasks effectively.
• A creative mind-set, able to “think out of the box”, identify and resolve issues using a strongly analytical approach.
• A one MTC mind-set.

About The MTC:

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is an internationally renowned research and development organisation, bridging the gap between academia and manufacturing. The MTC’s engineers, scientists and technicians work with advanced manufacturing equipment in a supportive environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale. Established to prove cutting-edge manufacturing advances in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions, the MTC works with hundreds of industrial clients across various sectors including automotive, aerospace, rail, informatics, food and drink, infrastructure, construction, civil engineering, electronics, oil and gas, and defence. The MTC helps businesses thrive by advancing their technological and engineering capabilities to improve efficiency, capability and competitiveness. Supported by significant public sector investments in UK Manufacturing, the MTC’s engineering capabilities cover research and development, advanced manufacturing management, factory design and training for future skills. The MTC has world-class facilities in Coventry, Liverpool and Oxford, and is part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

Reference Checks and Security Checks:

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.