Head of Engineering

National Express LLC; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Performance bonus

Company pension

Life assurance

Executive development programs

Free bus & coach travel

Employee Assistance programme

Private online GP service

Job summary

National Express in London is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead and coordinate engineering operations across our London & Airports locations. You will drive vehicle reliability, safety, and fleet performance while managing R&M contracts and budgets.

The role requires CPC Bus & Coach Ops, extensive leadership experience in unionised settings, and a UK Driver Licence with security pass eligibility. A strategic partner to Executive leadership, you will champion low/zero emission initiatives and

Qualifications

• Must hold CPC for Bus & Coach Operations.
• Experience leading engineering teams in unionized environments.
• Valid UK Driver Licence and ability to pass Airport Security Review.
• Desirable: Spanish language for liaison with group parent company Alsa.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage local garage engineering management, depot supervisors, and teams across locations.
• Ensure vehicles are serviced and maintained to safety and compliance standards.
• Minimise Vehicle Off Road (VOR) times and breakdown rates to maximise peak vehicle requirement.
• Control R&M contracts, oversee end of contract costs for leased/rented fleets, manage budgets.
• Act as SME to Executive Team and 24/7 Control Room on vehicle tech, incidents, safety improvements, KPIs.
• Advise the Board on low/zero emission strategies and lead related trials.
• Partner with Operations to implement best practice maintenance standards across sites.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering Mgmt

Budget control

Maintenance standards

Safety compliance

UK Driver Licence

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

National CPC Bus & Coach Operations

Job description

National Express are recruiting an experienced Head of Engineering to lead, control, and coordinate engineering operations across our London & Airports locations.

The successful candidate will act as a pivotal link between garage engineering teams, operational stakeholders and executive leadership to drive vehicle reliability, minimise lost mileage, manage R&M contract costs and champion low/zero emission fleet initiatives. You will promote a collaborative and inclusive working environment and ensure the highest standards of vehicle servicing, repair, safety, and fleet presentation.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and manage local garage engineering management, depot supervisors, and teams across all locations, supporting individual development, shift planning and operational alignment.
• Ensure vehicles are serviced and maintained in line with company, manufacturer, and legal standards, driving absolute focus on safety and compliance (MOT, Tax, LOLER, Tachograph calibrations, and DVSA reporting).
• Target minimal Vehicle Off Road (VOR) times and breakdown rates to maximize peak vehicle requirement (PVR) and prevent lost mileage.
• Control repair & maintenance (R&M) contracts, oversee arrival/departure and end of contract costs for leased/rented fleets, and strictly manage departmental budgets.
• Act as the subject matter expert to the Executive Team and 24/7 Control Room on vehicle technology, accident and incident investigations, safety improvements, and performance KPIs.
• Advise the Board on low and zero emission operational strategies, leading trials and sustainable engineering best practices.
• Partner closely with Operations teams to build seamless relationships and implement best practice maintenance standards across all sites.

What you’ll need:

• Extensive experience in the road passenger transport sector, with deep knowledge of coach and bus operational engineering, legal compliance, and daily garage procedures.
• Holder of a National Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) for Bus and Coach Operations.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate engineering teams within a unionized environment.
• Hold a valid UK Driver’s Licence (Car) and the ability to pass an Airport Security Review to hold an airside access pass.
• Desirable: Category D / PSV Licence and the ability to speak Spanish (beneficial for liaison with group parent company Alsa).

What we offer in return for your hard work and commitment...

• Competitive salary of up to £85,000 per annum
• Car Allowance of £5,760 per annum
• Performance bonus of up to 20%
• Comprehensive company pension, life assurance and executive development programs
• Free Bus & Coach travel for yourself
• Employee Assistance programme and private online GP service

National Express is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and should you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process please let us know.