At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a skilled engineering team and oversee new product development in a safety-critical environment.
- Company: Wescom, a global leader in safety-critical engineering and manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, early Friday finishes, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing business while shaping the future of engineering.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering, leadership experience, and a track record in regulated environments.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with strong senior visibility and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Wescom is investing in its future and is strengthening its senior engineering leadership team as part of a long-term growth and transformation journey. This newly appointed Engineering and Technical Manager role offers genuine influence, senior visibility, and the opportunity to lead critical new product development in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment. With a competitive salary, bonus, early Friday finish and real autonomy, this is a role where technical leadership truly matters.
About Wescom
Wescom Group is a global engineering and manufacturing business specialising in safety-critical signalling, screening and survival products for the defence and marine sectors. With operations across the UK, Europe and Australia, Wescom supports a wide range of customers across the sectors, delivering products where quality, compliance and reliability are non-negotiable. The Draycott (Derbyshire) site is a key UK hub within the group and is primarily defence-focused. The site is well-established, employs around 170 people, and has undergone significant positive transformation in recent years, with a renewed emphasis on safety, culture, leadership and accountability.
The Role
As Engineering and Technical Manager, you will report directly to the Managing Director and take full responsibility for leading the site’s engineering & technical function. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role where you will:
- Lead and develop a highly skilled, technically experienced engineering team
- Own the end-to-end delivery of new products, from concept through to production and launch
- Work with the design authority and act as subject matter expert across all product ranges
- Provide strong technical governance in a high-hazard, highly regulated environment
- Balance people leadership, project delivery and technical decision-making
You will play a critical role in shaping how engineering supports the wider business strategy, driving continuous improvement while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of engineers, setting clear objectives and building capability
- Oversee new product introduction (NPI), ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality expectations
- Provide technical leadership across design, engineering and manufacturing processes
- Act as the technical escalation point for complex engineering challenges
- Manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities
- Work closely with manufacturing, commercial and quality teams to deliver aligned outcomes
- Ensure compliance with relevant engineering standards, legislation and best practice
- Champion a proactive safety culture and robust engineering governance
What We’re Looking For
We’re open to candidates from a range of engineering disciplines. What matters most is technical credibility, leadership capability and experience in regulated environments. Essential experience includes:
- Degree-level qualification in an engineering or technical discipline
- Proven experience leading engineering teams
- A strong track record of bringing new products to market
- Experience operating in regulated or high-hazard environments
- Strong project management capability
- Confidence operating as a technical authority and senior decision-maker
Desirable experience:
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualification
- Experience within defence, marine, explosives, chemicals or similarly regulated sectors
What’s in It for You
- Competitive salary DOE
- Pension with employer contribution
- 23 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Death in service (4x salary)
- Monday–Thursday 8:00–17:00, Friday 8:00–12:00 (early finish every Friday)
- Site-based role with strong senior leadership visibility
- The opportunity to make a genuine, long-term impact in a growing global business
Location & Working Pattern
Location: Draycott, Derbyshire
Working pattern: Office and site-based
Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00–17:00, Friday 8:00–12:00
If you are a technically strong engineering leader looking for a role where your expertise, judgement and leadership will truly shape the future of a business, we would love to hear from you.
Click to Apply
Locations
Engineering and Technical Manager in Derby, Draycott employer: Wescom Group
Contact Detail:
Wescom Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering and Technical Manager in Derby, Draycott
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who might have insights into Wescom or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Wescom’s products and values. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for safety-critical environments and how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams and managed projects in regulated settings. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate for the Engineering and Technical Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Wescom team.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering and Technical Manager in Derby, Draycott
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Engineering and Technical Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've managed in regulated environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered new products, and don't forget to mention your passion for safety and quality.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, emphasise your technical credibility and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background makes you a strong candidate for leading engineering in a high-hazard environment.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Wescom!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wescom Group
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the technical aspects relevant to the role. Wescom is looking for someone with strong technical credibility, so be prepared to discuss your experience in regulated environments and how you've led engineering teams in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading a team, so think of examples where you've successfully mentored or developed engineers. Be ready to share how you've set clear objectives and built capability within your team.
✨Understand the Business Context
Wescom operates in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment. Familiarise yourself with their products and the sectors they serve. This will help you demonstrate how your engineering leadership can align with their business strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex engineering challenges. Think of specific situations where you've had to balance project delivery with technical decision-making, and be ready to explain your thought process.