Powertrain Technical Project Lead - Engine

Contechs Consulting

Remote-friendly



Powertrain Technical Project Lead Consultant (Engine Systems Focus)

  • 6 Months initially
  • Outside IR35 up to £45 per hour
  • Woking, Surrey (Hybrid Working)
  • ASAP start


Purpose of the Role

  • Reporting to the Principal Engineer and working with the Technical Program Manager on powertrain engine system programs.
  • Working alongside Project Engineers in a small team, responsible for the delivery of internal combustion engine components (e.g., pistons, connecting rods, crankshafts, cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, valvetrain systems) into small volume, high-performance specialist vehicle programs.


Essential Criteria

  • "Cradle to Grave" approach - working within a cross-functional team from R&D stage, through concept, design release, production launch, and series production support to deliver full vehicle performance targets and contribute to overall business KPIs.

  • Responsible for releasing designs that meet the following targets through coordination of internal and external resources:

    • Cost (piece, tooling, development & validation)
    • Performance (durability, strength, efficiency, friction reduction, and combustion performance cascaded from full vehicle targets to component-level specifications)
    • Timing
    • Feasibility (supporting in-house manufacturing/assembly processes such as machining, casting, forging, and supplier capability)


Key Responsibilities



Engine System Delivery

  • Lead the development and integration of core engine mechanical components, including:
    • Pistons and piston rings
    • Connecting rods
    • Crankshaft and bearings
    • Cylinder block and liners
    • Cylinder head and valvetrain
  • Ensure designs meet performance targets such as thermal/mechanical loads, fatigue life, lubrication requirements, and emissions compliance.


Problem Solving

  • Apply proactive problem avoidance at early stages (Risk Assessments, DFMEA, lessons learned).
  • Lead hands-on issue resolution during:
    • Prototype builds
    • Engine dyno testing
    • Vehicle validation
    • Series production
  • Address issues such as wear, NVH, durability failures, oil consumption, and tolerance stack-ups.


Reporting & Control

  • Manage and maintain accurate Bill of Materials (BOM):
    • Part numbering and structuring
    • Engineering change processes
  • Track and manage:
    • Component weight (critical for performance targets)
    • Costs (forecasting, risks, and opportunities)
    • Program timing and delivery status


Cost Engineering

  • Provide rapid cost estimates to support early concept decisions for engine components.
  • Deliver detailed cost breakdowns (materials, machining, treatments, assembly).
  • Support sourcing decisions using market insight and value analysis.
  • Drive continuous improvement in cost modelling through benchmarking and supplier engagement.


Additional Requirements

  • CATIA V5 / V6 2D/3D skills with strong GD&T application experience.
  • High level of technical knowledge and experience in:
    • Engine mechanical design and architecture
    • Materials and manufacturing processes (casting, forging, machining, coatings)
    • Engine testing (dyno, durability, performance validation)
    • Production and industrialisation of engine components
  • SAP capability including:
    • Engineering Release Management
    • BOM structuring
    • Cost management

Apply Now →

Application opens at the source listing. Free for jobseekers.

Related Jobs