Scope of Role:

The Director of Engineering will provide strategic direction, set goals, establish operational policies and coordinate all activities across the Engineering Department.  This will include equipment and board design, manufacture, testing of components, equipment maintenance and fault finding, maintenance of quality standards and specifications and general systems.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

This role will be part of the Muirhead Senior Leadership Team and will spearhead strategic planning for all Engineering and New Product Development activities, driving outstanding performance to get the best out of the teams to meet current KPIs and growth plans.  The role also involves managing operating budgets and capital expenditure projects, ensuring the highest standards of product integrity and safety.  Working closely with Sales, Operations and Quality to ensure business targets and compliance requirements are met consistently at the highest possible levels.

Leading the Organisation

• Provide leadership, presence and energy to the engineering team across sites.
• Drive technology initiatives and investments.
• Develop the organisation through guidance, training and using the appraisal system to manage expectations.
• Drive change via continuous MRO process and test improvements.
• Develop the skills within the department to meet the needs of the business.
• Manage the resource profile to meet the needs of the business and performance manage as necessary.
• Establish budgets for both the annual cost of the department and New Projects and monitor accordingly.
• Establish and drive KPI’s to manage key performance ensuring agreed Business KPIs.
• Create an atmosphere of teamwork with other members of the SLT.
• Working cohesively with Sales and Operations to drive top line growth.

Technology Roadmap

• Determine the trends and position of competitor products in the markets the company operates.
• Determine with the Operations and Sales leaders the products and services the customer requires.
• Develop a technology roadmap for current and future products.
• Bring leadership to the improved service to present to the customer base.
• Establish technological links with academic institutions and industry.

Development and Introduction of New Products

• Manage the NPI process to meet the cost, quality, and delivery requirements of the customer.
• Ensure compliance to the NPI process. 
• Ownership of all programs in NPI phase and transition into production.
• Develop strong teamwork principles for each project and ensure compliance and accountability.
• Develop, own and maintain process definition data, specifications and standards.
• Develop strong technical relationships with the customer base.
• Keep abreast of IP, regulatory and QA standards.
• Resolves problems using solutions that involve new techniques, technologies, or concepts.

Sales and Customer support

• Support the Sales team in any customer request.
• Work with the Sales and Operations team to determine the commercial opportunities worth progressing.
• Provide technical documentation and product costing information for any commercial enquiry.
• Provide technical support during customer visits.
• Provide customer presentations and technology roadmap materials to customers.