Chief Technical Engineer

Centrica; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major engineering firm is seeking a Chief Technical Engineer to lead innovation and strategy across their engineering team. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise in mechanical and electrical systems, and experience in managing large budgets. You will influence industry standards, ensure safety compliance, and oversee significant engineering projects. The position offers flexible working across the UK with a focus on engineering transformation and the green energy transition.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership experience in a complex organization.
• Chartered status in a relevant engineering field.
• Experience in managing significant budgets and ensuring technical safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical engineering strategy and innovation.
• Ensure safety and compliance in all operations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to shape industry standards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Technical assurance

Innovation

Collaboration with government

Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems

Education

Chartered in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Job description

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.