Lead Package Engineer

DRVN Automotive Group; Coventry; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

DRVN Automotive Group in Coventry is seeking a Lead Package Engineer to drive packaging and integration across niche vehicle programmes. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage package feasibility, and define layouts and hard points to meet cost, timing, and regulatory goals.

The role balances advanced engineering with hands-on development, including CAD package modeling, virtual build reviews, and close collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders. Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in automotive vehicle packaging and integration engineering.
• Experience leading package activities from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of vehicle systems integration.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams and technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of automotive development processes and gateway reviews.
• High performance and niche sports car experience advantageous.
• Experience working within low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Prototype and development vehicle build support.
• Experience with homologation and regulatory compliance activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead vehicle packaging activities across multiple special vehicle programmes.
• Develop and maintain vehicle package strategies from concept through production.
• Define and manage vehicle hard points and occupant accommodation requirements.
• Ensure package feasibility and integration of all vehicle systems.
• Coordinate between different vehicle commodities to ensure effective integration.
• Lead package reviews and support programme gateway deliverables.
• Generate package concepts and trade-off studies for decisions.
• Create and review 3D CAD package layouts and perform digital validation.

Skills

Automotive packaging

Systems integration

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Gateway reviews

Low-volume manufacturing

Prototype support

Homologation compliance

Tools

CAD tools

3D package layouts

Job description

Location: DRVN Design Office, Westwood Way, Coventry
Salary: £47 000 – £ 57000 (depending on experience) Reporting to: Chief Vehicle Engineer

Role Overview

The Lead Package Engineer is responsible for leading the vehicle packaging and integration activities across a portfolio of niche, low-volume, and specialist vehicle programmes. The role ensures that all vehicle systems, components and occupants are effectively integrated within defined package constraints while delivering customer, regulatory, manufacturing, cost, and timing objectives.

Working as a key member of the vehicle engineering team, the Lead Package Engineer will coordinate cross-functional engineering activities, drive technical solutions to complex packaging challenges, and provide package leadership from concept development through to production launch.

The role requires an individual capable of operating in a fast-paced environment where vehicle architectures, customer requirements, and programme objectives often differ between projects.

Key Responsibilities

Vehicle Package Leadership

• Lead vehicle packaging activities across multiple special vehicle and niche vehicle programmes.
• Develop and maintain vehicle package strategies from concept through production.
• Define and manage vehicle hard points, package layouts, and occupant accommodation requirements.
• Ensure package feasibility and integration of all vehicle systems.
• Own package compatibility between different commodity areas.
• Lead package reviews and support programme gateway deliverables.

Concept Development

• Generate package concepts and trade-off studies to support programme decision making.
• Conduct package benchmarking analyses against competitor and customer vehicles.
• Evaluate alternative technical solutions to resolve package conflicts.
• Support vehicle architecture definition and platform adaptation activities.
• Coordinate between the different vehicle commodities to ensure that systems are effectively integrated.
• Manage package issue resolution and drive robust engineering solutions.
• Ensure package releases support programme timing and engineering sign-off requirements.

CAD and Digital Development

• Creation and review of 3D package layouts using CAD tools.
• Perform package assessments including:
• Occupant accommodation and Ergonomics
• Accessibility
• Support digital validation activities including clash management and virtual build reviews.
• Act as the primary engineering contact for packaging-related discussions with customers.
• Support supplier technical reviews and integration activities.
• Collaborate with specialist suppliers on bespoke systems and vehicle modifications.
• Present technical package solutions to customers and senior stakeholders.
• Support programme planning, risk management, and engineering change control.
• Track package-related issues and ensure timely closure.
• Contribute to programme status reporting and engineering reviews.
• Ensure package delivery aligns with programme cost, quality, and timing targets.
• Vehicle package strategy and architecture definition.
• Package master sections and vehicle hard-point layouts.
• CAD package models and integration studies.
• Occupant accommodation assessments.
• Package risk and issue registers.
• Engineering change proposals and package approval documentation.
• Design review presentations and technical reports.

Required Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in automotive vehicle packaging and integration engineering.
• Experience leading package activities from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of vehicle systems integration.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams and technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of automotive development processes and gateway reviews.
• High performance and niche sports car experience would be advantageous.
• Experience working within definin g solutions for Low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Prototype and development vehicle build support.
• Experience with Homologation and regulatory compliance activities.

The successful candidate will join a small, agile engineering team developing performance vehicle platforms at a significantly faster pace than traditional OEM programmes. Engineers are expected to remain closely connected to the physical development of the vehicle and regularly interact with different functions across the business.

While the role is primarily office-based at the Coventry design facility, occasional travel to external partners and facilities may be required, sometimes involving extended working days during development phases.

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an engineer who:

• Strong technical leadership capability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Pragmatic problem solver with a hands‑on engineering approach.
• Able to balance technical excellence with commercial and programme pressures.
• Self‑motivated and capable of working with limited supervision.
• Comfortable operating within agile and rapidly changing project environments.

Experience Level

We welcome applications from engineers with approximately 5+ years of industry experience , depending on technical depth and background.

Right to Work

Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Right-to-work checks will be carried out in accordance with Home Office requirements.

Equality & Inclusion Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you