Head of Engineering in London

Head of Engineering in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams to enhance safety, reliability, and plant performance in waste and energy sectors.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on sustainability and operational excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of engineering in vital industries and drive meaningful change.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in industrial environments and strong technical expertise required.
  • Other info: Autonomy to influence strategy and improve operations across complex assets.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 Β£ per year.

Location: Netherlands

Sector: Waste, Energy, Heavy Process Industries

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

We are seeking a highly capable Head of Engineering to lead our clients Operational Engineering function and drive measurable improvements across safety, reliability, and long-term plant performance. This role is critical in strengthening engineering governance, stabilising plant operations, and ensuring maintenance budgets are structured, optimised, and tightly controlled β€” all while reducing asset downtime and improving overall efficiency across our operational sites. The ideal candidate will be dynamic, pragmatic, and trustworthy, with a proven track record of delivering engineering and operational improvements within waste, energy, or heavy process environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • You will lead the group-wide Operational Engineering department β€” encompassing Reliability, Project Delivery, and Asset Operations β€” and provide expert support to all plant management teams.
  • Your impact will include:
  • Leading reliability and project functions while working closely with plant managers to enhance site maintenance performance.
  • Strengthening engineering safety governance, compliance, and culture.
  • Stabilising existing operations and embedding structured, long-term reliability improvements across all engineering functions.
  • Enhancing asset health monitoring, engineering KPIs, and maintenance cost control versus CARV.
  • Establishing robust strategic spare parts structures that are controlled, cost-effective, and aligned to asset health strategies.
  • Working collaboratively with plant and maintenance managers to plan, forecast, and budget in a disciplined and transparent way.
  • Introducing structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Overseeing capital project delivery and ensuring alignment with operational priorities.
  • Influencing design stages to ensure upgrades incorporate effective layouts and Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) requirements.

About You β€” Skills & Experience

We're looking for someone who brings:

  • Proven leadership experience in waste, energy, or industrial processing environments.
  • Strong technical expertise across maintenance, reliability, and capital projects.
  • Working knowledge of CMMS systems, P&L oversight, and maintenance cost control.
  • Experience embedding reliability principles and driving a continuous improvement culture.
  • Strong understanding of engineering compliance, asset lifecycle management, and safety governance.

Why Join Us?

This is a senior leadership role where your decisions will directly shape operational performance, reliability culture, and long-term business success. You'll have the autonomy to build structure, influence strategy, and drive tangible improvements across a complex and vital asset base.

Head of Engineering in London employer: WasteRecruit Ltd

Join a forward-thinking company in the Netherlands that prioritises innovation and sustainability within the waste and energy sectors. As the Head of Engineering, you will be part of a collaborative work culture that values safety, reliability, and continuous improvement, offering you the chance to lead impactful projects while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and development. With a focus on optimising plant performance and reducing downtime, this role provides a unique platform to make a significant difference in operational excellence.
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Contact Detail:

WasteRecruit Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in waste, energy, or heavy process industries. Show them you’re the perfect fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and genuinely interested.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Let’s get you that Head of Engineering role!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in London

Leadership Experience
Technical Expertise in Maintenance
Reliability Engineering
Capital Project Management
CMMS Systems Knowledge
P&L Oversight
Maintenance Cost Control
Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Engineering Compliance
Asset Lifecycle Management
Safety Governance
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Collaboration Skills
Strategic Planning

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Engineering. Highlight your leadership experience in waste, energy, or heavy process environments, and don’t forget to showcase your technical expertise in maintenance and reliability.

Showcase Your Achievements: We want to see how you've made a difference in your previous roles. Include specific examples of how you've driven operational improvements, enhanced safety governance, or optimised maintenance budgets. Numbers and results speak volumes!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your passion for engineering and how you plan to influence strategy and drive improvements at our operational sites.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at WasteRecruit Ltd

✨Know Your Engineering Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to maintenance, reliability, and capital projects. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences in waste, energy, or heavy process environments that showcase your expertise.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think of instances where you've influenced change or improved safety governance and compliance, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Understand the Company’s Needs

Research the company’s operational challenges and be prepared to discuss how you can address them. Highlight your experience with structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement methodologies, as these are key to stabilising operations.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the industry. Inquire about their current engineering governance practices or how they measure success in asset health monitoring. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.

Head of Engineering in London
WasteRecruit Ltd
Location: London

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