Head of Engineering

MindMerge Consulting; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A large transportation group in Johor Bahru seeks a Head / Senior Manager, Engineering to lead engineering and maintenance functions, ensuring safety and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience, including 5 years in leadership, with a strong foundation in systems integration and compliance with binational standards. This role includes strategic planning, budget management, and fostering a high-performing engineering team, utilizing innovative technologies for optimal operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years relevant engineering experience in railway or transit systems, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Registered with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) or equivalent.
• Strong background in system integration and maintenance operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the engineering department for reliable, safe, and efficient operations.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies for operational readiness.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and excellence within the engineering department.

Skills

Systems integration

Engineering governance

Depot management

Digital tools adoption

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA)

Tools

Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)

IBM Maximo

Job description

Johor Bahru, Malaysia | Posted on 06/19/2025

Our client is a large transportation group and they are looking for Head / Senior Manager, Engineering. This person will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of all engineering and maintenance functions within the organization. This role ensures the safety, availability, reliability, and performance of all engineering systems, including rolling stock, infrastructure, depot facilities, and systems, to support seamless, cross-border rail operations. The incumbent will drive technical excellence, develop workforce capabilities, and lead engineering governance in compliance with binational regulatory standards, while aligning with the organization vision and key performance indicators.

Responsibilities

1. Engineering & Maintenance Operations

• Lead and manage the engineering department to ensure all assets and systems support reliable, safe, and efficient revenue operations.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programmes in accordance with OEM specifications, statutory requirements, and best practices.
• Monitor engineering performance indicators (availability, reliability, safety) to meet annual service targets and regulatory expectations.
• Ensure readiness and effective operation of the project maintenance depot facility in Johor for stabling, inspection, and maintenance of trains and infrastructure.

2. Strategic Planning & Organizational Performance

• Develop and implement short- and long-term engineering strategies to support operational readiness and sustainability of the transportation.
• Set performance objectives for all engineering sections, monitor outcomes, and initiate corrective actions as needed to meet KPIs.
• Provide strategic input into company-wide projects, including system upgrades, lifecycle asset planning, and engineering innovation initiatives.

3. People & Competency Management

• Lead the development of a multi-skilled, high-performing engineering workforce through targeted training, performance evaluation, and continuous learning.
• Ensure technical competency certification and readiness of staff in line with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, innovation, and operational excellence within the engineering department.

4. Budget & Resource Management

• Develop and manage engineering department budgets, including OPEX and CAPEX, to support efficient resource allocation and cost optimization.
• Monitor financial performance, manage variances, and ensure manpower and material resources are optimally deployed.
• Oversee contract management for third-party engineering services, spares procurement, and maintenance vendors in line with procurement policies.

5. Safety, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with safety, environmental, and technical regulations from Malaysian and Singaporean authorities (e.g., APAD, LTA).
• Lead engineering governance, audits, safety cases, and assurance documentation to maintain operational certification and integrity.
• Champion a proactive approach to risk identification, system assurance, and incident prevention within all engineering functions.

6. Technology & Innovation

• Promote the adoption of digital tools (e.g., CMMS, IoT monitoring, digital twins) to enhance asset reliability and maintenance intelligence.
• Lead the engineering input into future system expansion, technology upgrades, and innovations that support service resilience and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with OEMs, regulators, and shareholder partners to adopt international best practices and technical advancements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or Civil Engineering preferred).
• Registered with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MBA, Engineering Management) and certifications in RAMS, Asset Management, or Project Management are advantageous.
• Minimum 15 years relevant engineering experience in railway or transit systems, with at least 5 years in senior leadership.
• Strong background in system integration, maintenance operations, engineering governance, and depot management.
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams in a safety-critical and regulated environment.
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), preferably IBM Maximo or equivalent.
• Familiar with CBTC, SCADA, OCS, AFC, and depot management systems.
• Understanding of digital twin technologies, predictive analytics, and IoT-based condition monitoring.
• Awareness of cybersecurity and safety-integrated rail systems.