Director of Engineering - Transformers
PWE Recruitment Group
- JOB DETAILS
- JOB SUMMARY
- The Engineering Director is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to the global Engineering function for BRUSH Transformers. This role will define, implement, and lead an Engineering strategy that supports both UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and Global Industrial & Infrastructure (I&C) customers.
- The role requires the ability to develop engineering capability across multiple global sites operating at different levels of maturity. A strong focus is placed on standardisation, simplification, and common ways of working, while preserving BRUSH's differentiated capability in delivering complex, bespoke transformer solutions.
- The Engineering Director will build a sustainable, future-ready Engineering organisation, including clear succession planning and development of global engineering talent pipelines.
- Extensive collaboration with Operations, Commercial, Product Management, and Supply Chain is required to leverage value across the supply chain.
- Regular international travel to UK and Europe, other regions as required.
- KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Define and execute a global Engineering strategy aligned to BRUSH Transformers' growth, profitability, and market differentiation objectives.
- Develop an Engineering operating model that supports both UK DNO requirements and Global I&C customer needs.
- Establish robust Engineering governance, standards, and design authorities across all sites.
- Drive standardisation and simplification balanced with value adding ability to deliver complex, bespoke engineering solutions.
- Build and lead a high-performing global Engineering leadership team.
- Establish a clear succession pipeline for critical Engineering roles.
- Develop structured capability-building programmes , including graduate, early-career, and senior technical pathways.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
- Build scalable Engineering capability.
- Promote and implement best-in-class engineering tools, systems, processes, and methodologies benchmarked from within the industry.
- Ensure effective knowledge transfer and reuse of best practices across sites.
- Provide technical leadership across transformer tender, design, validation, and lifecycle management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and customer specifications across all markets.
- Support the development of platform-based designs and modular architectures where appropriate.
- Act as escalation point for complex technical challenges and customer-specific requirements.
- Partner closely with Operations to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and scalable.
- Collaborate with Commercial and Product Management to support bid strategy, customer engagement, and new product introduction.
- Work with Supply Chain to drive design-for-supply and design-for-cost initiatives.
- Support strategic customer engagements , particularly for technically complex or high-value projects.
- Lead Engineering transformation initiatives including digital tools, automation, and systems modernisation.
- Drive measurable improvements in engineering efficiency, quality, and cycle time.
- Champion data-driven decision making and performance management within Engineering.
- KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
- Engineering cost as % of sales
- Design cycle time reduction
- % reuse of standard designs/modules
- Right-first-time design performance
- Engineering change rate post-release
- Engineering capability maturity improvement by site
- Succession coverage for critical roles
- COMMUNICATION & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Operations
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Product Management
- Commercial & Sales
- Supply Chain
- Quality
- Programme Management
- Customers (UK DNOs and Global I&C)
- Technical partners and suppliers
- Certification bodies
- Industry and professional bodies
- PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications
- Degree educated in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional accreditation preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development.
Skills and Competencies
- Strategic leadership: Ability to define and execute a global Engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
- Global capability building: Proven experience developing Engineering capability across multiple international sites with varying maturity.
- Technical authority: Deep understanding of transformer design and complex engineered products.
- Standardisation & simplification: Strong track record of implementing common platforms, standards, and processes without eroding technical differentiation.
- Change leadership: Experience leading transformation programmes across multi-site Engineering organisations.
- People leadership: Ability to develop talent, build succession pipelines, and lead through influence.
- Stakeholder management: Effective communicator with senior leaders, customers, and external partners.
- Commercial awareness: Understanding of cost drivers, manufacturability, and customer value.
Experience
- Significant senior-level experience (10+ years) leading Engineering functions within transformers or a closely related heavy electrical equipment industry.
- Demonstrated success in global, multi-site Engineering leadership roles.
- Experience serving regulated utility customers (e.g. UK DNOs) alongside global industrial or infrastructure clients.
- Proven delivery of Engineering transformation, including standardisation, digitalisation, or operating model change.
- Strong background in complex, bespoke engineered products.
Location
Italy or UK-based with flexibility for hybrid working.
International travel required across UK & Europe and other global locations as needed.
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