Head of Engineering

NAVANTIA UK; Belfast; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading maritime engineering firm in Belfast is seeking a Head of Engineering to oversee all engineering functions across shipbuilding and repair programmes. This senior role demands strategic, technical, and commercial accountability, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards. Candidates should have a strong engineering leadership background, ideally within shipbuilding, and be degree-qualified in Engineering. The role offers a dynamic working environment with the potential for travel.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior engineering leadership experience in shipbuilding or heavy marine engineering.
• Strong technical grounding in naval architecture and marine systems.
• Proven record of delivering large-scale marine projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver the engineering strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Lead engineering risk management and compliance.
• Manage engineering budgets and improve profitability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Team management

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAE platforms

Production engineering software

Job description

Company Description

Navantia UK is a UK incorporated company, subsidiary of Spanish Navantia, created to work with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, defence and in offshore wind energy. With a history that goes back more than 300 hundred years, Navantia is a world reference in the design, building, integration and life cycle support of state‑of‑the‑art war ships for the Spanish Navy and international customers and has extensive experience in ToT programmes.

Role Overview

The Head of Engineering is a senior leadership role with strategic, technical, and commercial accountability for the engineering function across all shipbuilding and repair programmes. The role is responsible for defining and executing the engineering strategy, ensuring delivery excellence, technical integrity, and regulatory compliance, while enabling operational efficiency and sustainable business growth. Acting as the organisation's senior engineering authority, the Head of Engineering provides direction, governance, and leadership across multidisciplinary teams, supporting complex projects from bid phase through to vessel delivery. This position plays a critical role in aligning engineering capability with corporate objectives and long‑term growth plans.

Key Accountabilities

Engineering Strategy & Leadership

• Define and deliver the engineering strategy in alignment with corporate and operational objectives.
• Provide strong, visible leadership to the engineering function, setting clear direction, standards, and performance expectations.
• Authorise and govern all engineering inputs to bid submissions in collaboration with Business Development and senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to group‑wide engineering initiatives, best practice development, and continuous improvement across shipbuilding and repair operations.

Shipbuilding Programme Delivery

• Ensure each vessel programme is supported by a comprehensive engineering plan, with appropriate resourcing and technical governance.
• Lead engineering risk management, ensuring compliance with classification society rules, statutory regulations, and recognised naval architecture principles.
• Act as the senior technical interface with customers, ensuring contractual and technical requirements are met in full.
• Manage engineering budgets and labour hours, driving cost control and margin improvement through efficient design and build solutions.

Technical & Operational Excellence

• Ensure engineering teams are equipped with robust systems, tools, and infrastructure, including CAD/CAE platforms and production engineering software.
• Drive efficient ship design, steel nesting, and build sequencing to optimise material usage and production flow.
• Provide expert guidance to Production teams on construction methodologies, modular build strategies, outfitting, and dry dock operations.
• Lead improvement initiatives across digital shipbuilding, automation, robotics, and lean manufacturing.
• Ensure engineering compliance across method statements, docking arrangements, health and safety requirements, and regulatory approvals.

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, develop, and retain a high‑performing engineering leadership team and wider function.
• Establish clear succession planning and long‑term capability development across all engineering disciplines.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective cross‑functional working across Engineering, Production, Project Management, and external stakeholders.
• Manage performance, behaviours, and wellbeing in line with employment legislation and company policy.

Knowledge, Skills & Leadership Capability

• Strategic and analytical leader with the ability to operate effectively in complex engineering environments.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, and resource management capability.
• Influential communicator able to engage credibly at executive, customer, and regulatory levels.
• Commercially astute, with a focus on value creation, efficiency, and delivery certainty.
• Committed to innovation, operational excellence, and modern engineering practice.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive senior engineering leadership experience within shipbuilding, ship repair, or heavy marine engineering environments.
• Strong technical grounding in naval architecture, marine systems, ship design, and classification requirements.
• Proven record of delivering large‑scale marine projects on time, to quality, and within budget.
• Experience of shipyard operations, production engineering, and resource planning.
• Demonstrated experience supporting bids, managing engineering costs, and improving profitability.
• Degree‑qualified in Engineering or equivalent professional experience.

Working Environment

• Belfast‑based role within a standard office and shipyard environment
• Travel and occasional overnight stays may be required
• Working hours may extend beyond standard schedules to support business and project needs

Additional Information

This job description outlines the principal responsibilities of the role and may be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with business requirements. The post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the scope and grading of the position.

Role Summary

The successful candidate will supply specialist engineering support for all lifting and turning operations within the shipyard, delivering detailed calculations and technical analyses to ensure safe and efficient execution. Develop comprehensive lifting plans, arrangements, and supporting documentation that define approved methodologies for complex heavy lifts and rotational movements. Actively support operational teams by attending critical lifts to verify compliance with company procedures, statutory regulations, and third‑party requirements. Offer expert guidance to personnel on safe working practices and risk mitigation. Work closely with clients, classification societies, and third‑party stakeholders to define technical requirements and ensure alignment of expectations. Utilise advanced modelling and calculation software to produce accurate lifting data, simulate lift scenarios, and validate equipment suitability.

Contact

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role online please contact us at [e-mail] and one of the team will be in contact to help you.