Head of Engineering

GT Wings; Fareham; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking shipping company is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead the engineering delivery function. This role requires over 10 years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams and a strong background in product safety and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate will drive the company’s technical roadmap while ensuring reliability, performance, and safety in product design. The environment is fast-paced and requires a leader who can attract talent and foster alignment within the team, all while tackling some of the world's climate challenges.

Benefits

Innovative work environment

Opportunity to solve climate challenges

Support from leading shipowners and investors

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience managing full lifecycle from concept to in-service.
• Deep understanding of Product Safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering team to deliver manufacturable designs.
• Own the product and technology roadmap to meet stakeholder needs.
• Manage engineering budgets and resources.

Skills

Leadership

Multidisciplinary engineering

Regulatory compliance

Technical communication

Education

Degree in engineering or related field

Tools

3D modelling software

2D drawing development tools

Job description

About GT Wings

GT Wings is building the future of clean shipping. Our AirWing™ technology is redefining wind propulsion for commercial vessels — cutting emissions, reducing fuel consumption, and shaping the next generation of maritime design. With our first full-scale installation completed and more in the pipeline, we’re entering a scale-up phase that demands robust engineering leadership and an unrelenting focus on reliability and performance.

We are building a high-performing team that prizes technical excellence, reliability, speed of delivery, and cost-effective execution . We're looking for a Head of Engineering who can lead from the front — a strategic thinker, technical authority, and inspiring team builder who can deliver next-generation product design at pace.

The Opportunity

You’ll own the engineering delivery function at GT Wings — leading detailed design, system integration, certification, and the long-term development of our product and technologies.

You’ll be accountable for mechanical, electrical, performance, software, and hardware engineering, and for delivering both short-term product iterations and long-term tech strategy.

producing reliable, safe, and high-performing products — on time, on budget, and at scale. Ensuring our product is not only functional, but world-class. You’ll also help shape our culture; balancing creativity, high performance, focus and delivery.

This is a role for someone who combines creative engineering leadership with a proven ability to build, manage, and focus a team under real-world delivery pressure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and structure the engineering team to deliver reliable, manufacturable, class-compliant designs.
• Own engineering delivery from concept to detailed design, testing, production handover, ILS and product safety.
• Own the product and technology roadmap to align with stakeholder requirements
• Manage engineering budgets, forecasting, tools, training, and specialist resources.
• Provide high-quality technical input to support commercial bids and business development.
• Align engineering work with company vision and delivery milestones.
• Work closely with external stakeholders such as; manufacturing partners, shipyards, and class societies.
• Support CEO in shaping long-term technical vision and IP strategy.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• 10+ years of experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, with strong exposure to a range of engineering disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical, software, systems integration)
• Full lifecycle experience, from concept to in-service.
• Deep understanding of Product Safety and regulatory compliance.
• Deep experience of managing Requirements, Verification and Validation

Desirable Experience

• Setting up engineering processes
• Marine engineering or wind propulsion background.
• Experience defining and executing technology and product roadmaps.
• 3D modelling, 2D drawing development and review.
• Exposure to control software development.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in engineering or related field.
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent professional recognition) preferred.

The Person

• A technical leader with credibility across disciplines.
• A builder of people, teams, and systems — able to attract talent and create alignment.
• Calm under pressure, decisive, and focused on execution without compromise.
• A clear communicator who can simplify complexity and get buy-in across stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a fast-moving, imperfect, high-accountability startup environment.

Why Join GT Wings?

• Be part of solving one of the world’s biggest climate challenges.
• Lead the technical charge in a company backed by some of the world’s leading shipowners and investors.
• Work on groundbreaking hardware with a team that blends innovation, humility, and ambition.
• Shape the future of wind-powered shipping.