Chief Technical Engineer

Centrica; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative energy provider in the UK is looking for a Chief Technical Engineer to lead strategic engineering initiatives. In this leadership role, you will influence technical standards, advocate for safety, and drive innovation within the engineering sector. The ideal candidate possesses a chartered engineering status and has demonstrated experience in managing large-scale projects. If you are passionate about sustainability and ready to shape the future of energy, this is the role for you.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive work environment

Total rewards and benefits package

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience with a focus on safety and efficiency.
• Chartered status in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering strategy and innovation for the field engineering team.
• Ensure safety and compliance are embedded in every project.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and Government on innovation.

Skills

Leadership experience

Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems

Influence and collaboration skills

Education

Chartered in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in a related field

Job description

Join us, be part of more.

We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That’s why working here is #MoreThanACareer. We do energy differently - we do it all. We make it, store it, move it, sell it, and mend it.

About your team:

At British Gas, our mission is to sell it and mend it.

We’ve been powering the UK’s homes and businesses for over 200 years – but supplying energy is just part of what we do. We’re making the UK greener and more energy efficient, getting closer to Net Zero. By using clever tech like thermostats, heat pumps, solar panels and EV chargers, we’re making it cheaper and easier for our customers to reduce their carbon‑footprint.

Chief Technical Engineer

Location: Flexible UK sites with hybrid working

Overview

Are you ready to shape the future of engineering in the UK and Ireland? As Chief Technical Engineer, you’ll take on a strategic leadership role that influences industry standards, drives innovation, and ensures British Gas, Bord Gáis Energy and Centrica remain at the forefront of technical excellence.

This is your opportunity to lead groundbreaking work in gas and electrical engineering, champion safety and compliance, and create solutions that transform customer experiences. You’ll work with government, manufacturers, and industry partners to set the agenda for innovation and technical standards. Your technical leadership will empower thousands of engineers with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to deliver exceptional results.

If you thrive on solving complex challenges, shaping strategy, and driving progress, this role puts you at the heart of engineering transformation supporting the green energy transition.

About the role

• Lead technical engineering strategy and innovation across the 7000 strong field engineering team, providing engineering expertise, assurance and support to operational leaders.
• Ensure robust technical safety and assurance across all operations, embedding compliant and future‑proof safety practices into every aspect of our engineering work.
• Ensure safety and compliance are embedded in every project and process.
• Influence and collaborate with manufacturers and Government to shape the future of the engineering and service sectors - championing innovation, R&D, skills, and industry standards.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth mindset, identifying opportunities for automation, simplification, and smarter ways of working.
• Build a pipeline of innovation, patenting solutions that improve safety and customer outcomes.
• Oversee Diagnostic & Innovation Labs, Technical Support, Safety Assurance, Technical Excellence and Field Capability teams.
• Define and govern engineering standards, balancing compliance with efficiency and innovation.
• Stay ahead of industry trends, regulation, and best practice to ensure competitive advantage and readiness for future change.
• Provide expert input to the Engineering Academy to shape current and future training requirements aligned to strategic and technological needs.
• Oversee and sign off all technical content - standards, guidance, training and materials, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with strategy.
• Partner closely with recognised Trade Unions to drive collaborative progress across the engineering industry.
• Lead audits, investigations, and assurance activities.

What we’re looking for

• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to identify opportunities, drive efficiencies, and shape safer and smarter ways of working across a complex business.
• Chartered in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Safety qualification and experience in technical assurance within large, complex organisations, managing £20m+ budgets.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical (gas preferred) and/or electrical systems and deep understanding of the engineering and service markets including regulatory regime, market trends and workforce dynamics.
• Proven ability to set technical standards and lead in complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with government, industry partners and manufacturers on innovation, R&D, skills and sector development.
• Ideally, experience of working with Trade Unions at a senior level, building constructive, collaborative relationships.

Why should you apply?

We’re not a perfect place – but we’re a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That’s why we’ve designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.

Visit https://www.morethanacareer.energy/britishgas to discover why we’re a great place to work and what being part of more means for you.

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.

Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.