Head of Engineering - North East

Arriva Durham County Limited; West Kyo; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A transport company is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead its North East operations. This pivotal role involves managing a diverse team and ensuring fleet reliability and safety across multiple sites. Candidates should have strong leadership and technical skills in fleet maintenance. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and the chance to drive innovation in engineering operations. If you're ready to inspire teams and improve performance, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Ongoing professional development

Qualifications

• Proven engineering leader with multi-site or regional management experience.
• Ability to engage, motivate, and develop teams.
• Track record of improving performance, cost control, and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations across multiple engineering sites.
• Ensure safety and reliability of fleet.
• Drive performance improvements and manage budgets.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Technical knowledge of fleet maintenance

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Safety focus

Education

Relevant engineering qualification (HNC/HND or equivalent)

Job description

Location : North East Region (multi-site)

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.

What you’ll do

• 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.

What we’re looking for

• 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.

Why join us

• 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.