Prototype Engineer

Gerrell & Hard Limited; Nuneaton; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gerrell & Hard Limited in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Prototype Engineer to lead the delivery of prototype vehicles and rolling chassis through build, commissioning and handover. The role requires hands-on technical expertise, workshop leadership and strong coordination across design, development, logistics and programme teams.

You will manage complex build activities in a fast-paced, low-volume development environment and act as the key engineering interface within the prototype

Qualifications

• 4+ years in prototype vehicle build or automotive engineering.
• Experience leading prototype build technicians in a workshop.
• Track record delivering complex vehicle builds against tight programme milestones.

Responsibilities

• Lead assembly, build, commissioning and sign-off of prototype vehicles and rolling chassis.
• Develop and maintain build plans, schedules and resources to meet milestones.
• Provide day-to-day technical direction and support to prototype build technicians and resolve build challenges.
• Coordinate engineering changes, document controls and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.

Skills

Prototype vehicle build

Vehicle integration

Automotive engineering

Workshop leadership

Project coordination

Problem solving

Safety compliance

Job description

Senior Prototype Engineer

6-Month Rolling Contract, outside IR35

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Prototype Engineer to lead the delivery of prototype vehicles and rolling chassis through the physical build, commissioning and handover phases.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role within a prototype workshop environment, working across vehicle systems to deliver high-quality development vehicles in line with engineering specifications, programme milestones and quality standards.

Combining hands-on technical expertise with workshop leadership and project coordination, you will act as the key engineering interface between prototype build technicians, design, development, logistics and programme teams.

The successful candidate will bring strong prototype vehicle build experience, excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex build activities in a fast-paced, low-volume vehicle development environment.

Key Responsibilities

Prototype Build & Delivery

• Lead the assembly, build, commissioning and sign-off of prototype vehicles and rolling chassis.

• Manage build activities from initial planning through to final audit and handover.

• Develop and maintain build plans, schedules and resource requirements to achieve programme milestones.

• Monitor build progress, identify risks and implement recovery plans where required.

Workshop & Technical Leadership

• Provide day-to-day technical direction and support to prototype build technicians.

• Resolve complex assembly challenges and provide hands-on engineering support.

• Maintain high standards of build quality, safety and compliance with engineering specifications.

• Drive accountability, continuous improvement and efficient workshop operations.

Engineering Integration & Problem Solving

• Act as the primary engineering interface within the prototype workshop.

• Work collaboratively with design, development and attribute engineering teams to resolve build issues.

• Lead the investigation, containment and resolution of engineering concerns.

• Coordinate engineering changes and specification deviations, ensuring appropriate approval, documentation and communication.

• Contribute to design reviews, build reviews, DFMEA and manufacturing feasibility assessments.

Process Development & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and improve prototype build processes, assembly methods and workshop procedures.

• Maintain build instructions, technical documentation and vehicle traceability records.

• Capture lessons learned and implement improvements across future build phases.

• Support virtual build assessments, build sequencing and labour planning.

Parts, Commissioning & Programme Delivery

• Coordinate parts availability, logistics and material requirements to protect build schedules.

• Manage vehicle configuration, parts allocation and traceability.

• Lead vehicle audits and ensure vehicles are commissioned and prepared for engineering validation.

• Provide build status updates, risk assessments and resource information to programme teams.

• Support cost control, programme planning and vehicle handover activities.

Health, Safety & Quality

• Champion safe working practices and compliance with workshop procedures.

• Ensure all build activities meet required engineering, quality and safety standards.

• Promote a culture of quality, professionalism and continuous improvement.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience in prototype vehicle build, vehicle integration or automotive engineering.

• Strong technical knowledge of vehicle assembly, rolling chassis builds and vehicle systems.

• Experience leading or coordinating prototype build technicians in a workshop environment.

• A track record of delivering complex vehicle builds against demanding programme timings.

• Strong diagnostic, problem-solving and engineering issue-resolution skills.

• Experience managing engineering changes, build documentation and vehicle configuration.

• The ability to work effectively across engineering, design, logistics and programme teams.

• Excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder-management skills.

• A proactive, hands-on approach with a strong commitment to safety and build quality.

Experience in low-volume, high-performance vehicle development and prototype commissioning would be highly advantageous.

Why Apply?

• Play a key role in the delivery of prototype and development vehicles.

• Work at the interface of vehicle engineering, design and physical build execution.

• Take ownership of technically challenging builds in a dynamic engineering environment.

• Secure an initial six-month contract with a rolling extension opportunity.