Head of New Product Development

James Fisher and Sons plc; Westhill; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc invites an accomplished engineering leader to head our New Product Development portfolio. You will shape a clear pipeline of innovations, translate strategic priorities into actionable programs, and drive commercial value across defence, maritime, and energy markets.

Based in the UK with flexibility for Aberdeen/Glasgow work locations, you will lead cross-functional teams, ensure strict governance and safety compliance, and champion lean, agile methods to accelerate

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering New Product Development (NPD), R&D, or innovation projects.
• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent), with Chartered Engineer status (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience operating within governance frameworks; defence sector experience advantageous.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong technical leadership with ability to guide cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and monitor delivery across the NPD portfolio, ensuring progress aligns with timelines and budgets.
• Drive accountability across project teams to deliver against plans through effective oversight and governance.
• Ensure consistent application of engineering processes and best practices throughout the function.
• Develop and maintain a clear NPD portfolio roadmap aligned to business strategy and priorities.
• Ensure full compliance with safety standards, stage-gate governance, and customer requirements.
• Work closely with NPD Project Managers and Integrated Project Teams to ensure effective portfolio execution.
• Ensure all NPD activities meet regulatory, export control, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Track and deliver against key portfolio KPIs, including schedule, cost performance, and capability maturity.
• Champion continuous improvement in NPD through the use of lean, agile, and systems engineering approaches.
• Support the integration of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, autonomous systems, advanced materials) into product development pipelines.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder communication

Governance & compliance

Problem solving

Portfolio management

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer

Defence sector experience

IT environment experience

Job description

Head of New Product Development

Westhill, Aberdeen or Inchinnan, Glasgow

Full-time, Permanent

You will need to be able to pass security clearance for this role and have the right to work and reside in the UK.

The Role

This role is central to shaping and delivering JFD’s New Product Development (NPD) portfolio. It is responsible for creating a clear and compelling pipeline of innovation that will define our future capability, deliver cutting-edge solutions for our customers, and fuel sustainable business growth. By bringing new products to market that align with customer needs and strategic priorities, this role will play a key part in driving commercial success.

• Lead and monitor delivery across the NPD portfolio, ensuring progress aligns with agreed timelines and budgets.
• Drive accountability across project teams to deliver against plans through effective oversight and governance.
• Ensure consistent application of engineering processes and best practices throughout the function.
• Develop and maintain a clear NPD portfolio roadmap aligned to business strategy and priorities.
• Ensure full compliance with safety standards, stage-gate governance, and customer requirements.
• Work closely with NPD Project Managers and Integrated Project Teams to ensure effective portfolio execution.
• Ensure all NPD activities meet regulatory, export control, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Track and deliver against key portfolio KPIs, including schedule, cost performance, and capability maturity.
• Champion continuous improvement in NPD through the use of lean, agile, and systems engineering approaches.
• Support the integration of emerging technologies (e.g. AI, autonomous systems, advanced materials) into product development pipelines.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience delivering New Product Development (NPD), R&D, or innovation projects.
• Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, develop, and guide high-performing teams.
• Commercially astute, with an understanding of how engineering decisions impact business outcomes.
• Collaborative leadership style, with experience empowering teams and driving cross-functional working.
• Experience operating within robust governance frameworks, ensuring compliance while delivering complex programmes.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or equivalent), with Chartered Engineer status (or willingness to obtain), and experience within a technical IT environment; defence sector experience would be advantageous.

Why join us?

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA