Capability Manager (Mechanical Engineering) in Bristol

Location: Bristol, hybrid working

Why Rolls-Royce? We have an exciting new opportunity for a Capability Manager - Mechanical. As the Capability Manager, you will be responsible for mechanical design delivery and line management for a team of Mechanical Engineers. As part of the NautIQ Solutions team, you will work closely with other engineering disciplines to design Low Voltage Power Distribution Systems and Equipment for Naval applications.

NautIQ Solutions UK is located in Bristol and Heybridge and is part of Rolls‑Royce Power Systems that focuses on delivering electrical and automation products to our Naval and Commercial Marine customers. We have a wide base of global customers, predominantly naval, to whom we currently supply Low Voltage Distribution Systems and Automation products. We’re at the forefront of innovation and experience in the marine sector from standalone products to complex integrated systems.

A leading provider of propulsion, handling and distribution solutions for naval markets, we have more than 4,000 customers, with 70 naval forces and over 30,000 commercial vessels using our equipment. Work with us and we’ll welcome you into an inclusive culture, one that invests in your continuous learning and development, and gives you access to a wide breadth and depth of experience. We offer excellent development, a competitive salary, and exceptional benefits. These include bonus, employee support assistance and employee discounts.

Your needs are as unique as you are. Hybrid working is a way in which our people can balance their time between the office, home, or another remote location. It’s a locally managed and flexed informal discretionary arrangement. As a minimum, we’re all expected to attend the workplace for collaboration and other specific reasons, for a minimum of three days per week.

What you will be doing:

• You will be responsible for leading and strengthening the Mechanical Engineering capability to meet current and future business needs.
• Lead, develop and engage assigned Engineering personnel to deliver against current and future business requirements.
• Deploy assigned staff to approved business activities and technical programmes, ensuring capability is effectively utilised.
• Provide technical leadership to the Mechanical Engineering resource group and ensure compliance to process throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Create and maintain robust resource plans to meet overall delivery commitments, balancing load, capacity, skills and priorities.
• Ensure sufficient resource is available through recruitment and subcontract (in line with Company manpower policy) to meet programme needs, budgets and forecasts.
• Own and support definition of the relevant section of the Engineering strategy and/or programme, ensuring the required capabilities and resources to deliver it are identified.
• Lead and manage functional interfaces, ensuring appropriate reviews take place throughout the engineering lifecycle with the right specialists and leaders engaged.
• Ensure the highest professional standards are met through agreed Corporate methodologies and processes, providing checks and balances to satisfy regulatory and business requirements.
• Drive effective performance management, ensuring clear objectives are set through the Business Plan Deployment Process.
• Lead and develop team members within and beyond their disciplines, including individual and professional development, training, performance and reward management, HSE and security.
• Ensure staff are suitably qualified and experienced, sustaining future skills through multi‑skilling, staff rotation and effective use of competency framework tools and professional networks/standards.
• Contribute to current and future business strategy and programme requirements, supporting budget, load and capacity activities.
• Act as the focal point for communication within and on behalf of the resource group, ensuring alignment and clarity across stakeholders.
• Ensure effective knowledge management through knowledge capture, lessons learned and best practice guides, encouraging knowledge sharing within the group and beyond.
• Lead and drive efficiency through process review, teamwork and continuous improvement, embedding operational best practice across the capability area.
• Where appropriate, own the relationship between engineering and the supply chain, ensuring it is effectively managed and integrated.
• Apply Health, Safety and the Environment policy with a clear commitment to continuous improvement.

Who we’re looking for:

• Be qualified to degree level (or equivalent) in a Mechanical Engineering discipline, with the credibility to lead a Mechanical Engineering capability area.
• Demonstrate sound engineering judgement, with an understanding of sector customers and programmes, and the ability to provide clear technical leadership.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and engineering skills, with a track record of building high‑performing teams and creating a positive shift in attitudes and behaviours.
• Have experience of creating and managing resource plans to meet delivery commitments, including workforce planning across skills, priorities and budgets.
• Understand Company Quality policies and lifecycle processes deployed within the resource group, ensuring compliance and effective governance.
• Be experienced in applying process improvement techniques and driving measurable business improvements through continuous improvement and operational best practice.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, acting as a focal point for the resource group and influencing stakeholders across engineering and the wider business.

To apply for this role, you must be able to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance without any caveats to that clearance. Rolls‑Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you don’t currently have this in place. Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets, you must hold a UK nationality. Any dual nationals will require additional scrutiny and background checks prior to commencing work.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.

Type of Contract: Permanent