Head of Engineering - North East

Arriva Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public transport provider is seeking a Head of Engineering to oversee operations in the North East region. This pivotal role entails driving operational excellence and team engagement across multiple depots while ensuring safety and compliance in fleet maintenance. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership and technical knowledge, with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement. This position includes a competitive salary, performance bonus, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Excellent benefits package

Qualifications

• A proven engineering leader with multi-site or regional management experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of fleet maintenance (bus, coach, rail, HGV, or related sector).
• Excellent people leadership and coaching skills - able to engage, motivate, and develop teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple engineering sites.
• Ensure delivery of robust engineering standards, including vehicle safety and compliance.
• Drive performance improvements in productivity and cost efficiency.

Skills

People leadership

Engineering knowledge

Stakeholder management

Performance improvement

Education

Relevant engineering qualification (HNC/HND or equivalent)

Job description

We're looking for a commercially minded and people-focused Head of Engineering to lead our North East region, driving operational excellence, safety performance, and team engagement across a diverse engineering network. This is a pivotal leadership role, overseeing multiple depots and a large workforce of engineers and technicians. You'll play a key part in ensuring our fleet runs safely, reliably, and efficiently, supporting our commitment to providing excellent service to our customers and local communities every day.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple engineering sites within the North East region.
• Ensure delivery of robust engineering standards, including vehicle safety, reliability, and compliance.
• Drive performance improvements in productivity, cost efficiency, and asset utilisation.
• Develop and empower Depot Engineering Managers to build engaged, high-performing teams.
• Lead on fleet modernisation, sustainability initiatives, and new technology integration.
• Manage budgets, maintenance planning, and performance reporting in line with company KPIs.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and safety-first operations.
• Partner with Operations and Commercial teams to ensure engineering supports wider business goals.

Qualifications

• A proven engineering leader with multi-site or regional management experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of fleet maintenance (bus, coach, rail, HGV, or related sector).
• Excellent people leadership and coaching skills - able to engage, motivate, and develop teams.
• Commercially astute, with a track record of improving performance, cost control, and efficiency.
• Passionate about safety, quality, and customer service.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills at all levels.
• Relevant engineering qualification (HNC/HND or equivalent) desirable; management training advantageous.

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape and modernise engineering operations across a key region.
• Collaborative culture that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Competitive salary, car allowance, and performance bonus.
• Excellent benefits package and ongoing professional development.

If you're ready to lead from the front, inspire your teams, and make a lasting impact across the North East engineering network - we'd love to hear from you.