At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform engineering functions for innovative product development.
- Company: High-growth private equity-backed design and manufacturing business.
- Benefits: Executive leadership role with significant influence and impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performance engineering organisation.
- Why this job: Shape engineering strategy and drive innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Senior engineering leadership experience and strong project delivery skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a high-growth private equity-backed design and manufacturing business in Staffordshire to appoint an Engineering Director to lead and transform its end-to-end product development and delivery capability. This is a key executive leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO and sitting on the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for shaping how engineered solutions are conceived, developed, prototyped, delivered, and deployed at scale.
About the Role
The Engineering Director will unify previously siloed engineering, design, project delivery, innovation, and quality functions into a single high-performance organisation. You will own the full engineering lifecycle – from early concept and design through to prototyping, validation, manufacturing readiness, and customer deployment. This is a pivotal role in enabling the business to scale faster, improve delivery performance, and strengthen product robustness in demanding industrial environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary engineering organisation (Design Engineering, PMO, Innovation Lab, Quality)
- Define and implement an integrated engineering operating model focused on speed, quality, and manufacturability
- Own end-to-end concept-to-deployment delivery for customer solutions
- Drive design excellence, standardisation, and manufacturability across all products
- Lead rapid prototyping and innovation capability to accelerate product development cycles
- Improve project delivery performance across scope, time, and budget
- Own engineering quality systems, ensuring reliability, durability, and compliance
- Strengthen cross-functional collaboration with Commercial, Operations, and Procurement teams
- Build and develop a high-performing engineering leadership team
What We’re Looking For
- Senior engineering leadership experience in industrial, manufacturing, or product development environments
- Proven success leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Strong background in mechanical design, fabrication, and engineered systems
- Experience delivering complex projects from concept through to production and deployment
- Track record of implementing engineering processes, governance, and delivery improvement
- Commercially aware with a strong balance between cost, performance, and manufacturability
Why This Role?
- Shape a full engineering function from concept through to field deployment
- Influence company strategy as part of the Executive Leadership Team
- Build a scalable, high-performance engineering organisation
- Directly impact customer delivery, product quality, and innovation speed
Engineering Director in Stoke-on-Trent employer: SF Search Partners
Contact Detail:
SF Search Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Director in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and achievements in engineering leadership. Use platforms like LinkedIn to share insights or articles related to product development and innovation. This will position you as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to engineering leadership roles. Think about how you would unify teams and improve project delivery performance. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make some engineering magic happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Director in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. Highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering complex projects, as this will show us you’re a great fit for the Engineering Director role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this opportunity and how your background aligns with our vision for transforming the engineering function. Be specific about your achievements in engineering leadership.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you unify teams and drive performance. Share examples of how you've improved project delivery and fostered collaboration across functions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at SF Search Partners
✨Know Your Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around mechanical design and engineered systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led and how you tackled challenges in product development.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Think about how you've unified different functions in the past and be ready to share your approach to building high-performing teams.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the company's goals and how the engineering function fits into their strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can influence company strategy and improve delivery performance in line with their objectives.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role requires strong cross-functional collaboration, think of examples where you've successfully worked with other departments like Commercial or Operations. Highlight how you’ve driven innovation and improved project delivery through teamwork.