Head of Engineering and Design Technology

SGS; Ham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SGS invites a visionary leader to head our Engineering and Design Technology department in the South West. You will inspire a team of teachers and technicians, shape an ambitious curriculum, and drive excellence in teaching and learning.

You will partner with industry, universities and apprenticeship providers to create authentic engineering experiences, support employability, and secure outstanding destinations for students across post-16 and post-18 pathways.

Qualifications

• Has a passion for engineering and technical education.
• Has the vision and ambition to lead a thriving department.
• Is a strong teacher of engineering or design and technology.
• Has teaching experience in mechanical, electronic or design engineering.
• Believes in developing young people for successful futures.
• Can inspire both students and colleagues to achieve excellence.
• Understands the importance of employability, industry engagement and career pathways.
• Is committed to continual improvement and innovation.
• Has the drive to establish the department as a recognised leader in engineering education across the South West.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a successful team of DT and Engineering specialists.
• Shape and develop an innovative engineering curriculum.
• Drive outstanding outcomes and student progress.
• Build strong partnerships with local and national employers.
• Expand opportunities for industry engagement and real-world engineering experiences.
• Champion employability skills across all aspects of the curriculum.
• Support students in securing ambitious post-16, post-18 and career destinations.
• Develop enrichment opportunities including competitions, projects, employer engagement and STEM initiatives.
• Play a key role in the strategic development of engineering education across the school and wider community.

Skills

Leadership

Teaching excellence

Engineering education

Industry engagement

Curriculum design

Stakeholder collaboration

Innovative mindset

Career pathways

Inspiring others

Job description

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most ambitious and exciting engineering departments in the South West, working alongside a team of talented Design Technology and Engineering specialists and inspiring hundreds of highly motivated young engineers every day. We are seeking an exceptional leader with a passion for engineering education, innovation, and developing future talent. Whether your background is in education, engineering, manufacturing, design, or industry, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people while helping shape the future of engineering education in our region.

Why This Role Matters

Engineering sits at the heart of everything we do. Our students are curious, creative and ambitious. They design products, solve real-world problems, develop technical skills, and work on projects that mirror modern industry. They leave us equipped not only with qualifications, but with the confidence, resilience and professional skills needed to thrive in the workplace. As Head of Engineering and Design Technology, you will lead this vision forward. You will work with a highly skilled team of teachers and technicians, driving excellence in teaching and learning while developing a curriculum that reflects the rapidly evolving world of engineering. Most importantly, you will help hundreds of young people discover their potential and open doors to exciting futures.

What Makes Us Different

• Developing highly employable, industry-ready young people.
• Embedding professional behaviours and transferable workplace skills.
• Building meaningful relationships with employers, universities and apprenticeship providers.
• Creating authentic engineering experiences that prepare students for life beyond school.
• Supporting students into exceptional destinations, including degree apprenticeships, university courses, technical pathways and employment.

Our focus on destinations means that every lesson, project and enrichment opportunity is designed with students' futures in mind. We want our young people to leave with the knowledge, skills and character to succeed in a competitive and rapidly changing world.

The Opportunity

• Lead and inspire a successful team of DT and Engineering specialists.
• Shape and develop an innovative engineering curriculum.
• Drive outstanding outcomes and student progress.
• Build strong partnerships with local and national employers.
• Expand opportunities for industry engagement and real-world engineering experiences.
• Champion employability skills across all aspects of the curriculum.
• Support students in securing ambitious post-16, post-18 and career destinations.
• Develop enrichment opportunities including competitions, projects, employer engagement and STEM initiatives.
• Play a key role in the strategic development of engineering education across the school and wider community.

We Are Looking For Someone Who

• Has a passion for engineering and technical education.
• Has the vision and ambition to lead a thriving department.
• Is a strong teacher of engineering or design and technology
• Has teaching experience in mechanical, electronic or design engineering.
• Believes in developing young people for successful futures.
• Can inspire both students and colleagues to achieve excellence.
• Understands the importance of employability, industry engagement and career pathways.
• Is committed to continual improvement and innovation.
• Has the drive to establish the department as a recognised leader in engineering education across the South West.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to lead a flagship engineering department.
• Talented, committed colleagues who share a passion for technical education.
• Exceptional students who are eager to learn and succeed.
• Strong support for professional development and leadership progression.
• Extensive opportunities to work with industry partners and employers.
• The chance to leave a genuine legacy by influencing the next generation of engineers.

Join Us There are very few roles that offer the chance to combine leadership, innovation, industry engagement and life-changing educational impact on this scale. If you are ready to inspire the engineers of tomorrow, develop a department with regional influence, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce of the South West, we would love to hear from you.