Vehicle Chief Engineer

Role: Vehicle Chief Engineer

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Leamington Spa, On Site

Role ID:

The Vehicle Chief Engineer will lead the end-to-end technical delivery of vehicle programs, with responsibility for the integration and performance of key vehicle systems including chassis, suspension, steering, braking, and vehicle dynamics. This role serves as the technical authority for the complete vehicle, ensuring all systems are integrated to deliver performance, safety, durability, and regulatory compliance in line with UK and global automotive standards. Key responsibilities include leading vehicle-level integration, ensuring compliance and quality, fostering innovation and problem solving, and mentoring and developing the engineering team. The position requires a proven track record of delivering production-ready vehicles and a deep experience in vehicle engineering, with strong programme leadership and strategic thinking.

• Act as the Vehicle Technical Authority for assigned programmes.
• Own vehicle-level integration across all systems.
• Drive project execution to achieve objectives and milestones.
• Lead innovation and problem solving initiatives.
• Provide mentorship and develop engineering teams.
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain customer focus and stakeholder engagement.

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Systems Engineering (Master's preferred)

• Demonstrable experience in vehicle engineering, including chassis systems (suspension, steering, brakes), vehicle integration, and attribute delivery.
• Proven full vehicle programme delivery and leadership in design, validation, and production readiness.
• Experience delivering vehicle DVP&R and homologation requirements.
• Strong track record in structured problem solving (8D, DOE, RCA).

Extensive experience in vehicle-level engineering and system integration, with deep expertise in chassis systems such as suspension design and tuning, steering systems (EPS, rack design, steering feel development), brake systems (hydraulic, electronic stability, regen blending), vehicle structures, chassis layouts, and vehicle dynamics attribute development.

Solid grounding in CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, NX), GD&T, FMEA, and engineering documentation.

• Proven ability to lead complex vehicle programmes in a cross-functional environment.
• Experience with technical governance, design reviews, and sign-off processes.
• Strong supplier management, particularly for chassis and braking systems.
• Good understanding of cost, timing, and programme delivery constraints.
• Effective risk management and decision-making capability.
• Excellent communication across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong leadership presence with influence over stakeholders.
• Experience leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams.
• Customer-focused mindset with stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience in UK or European automotive OEM or Tier 1 environments.
• Familiarity with UNECE regulations, UK type approval processes, and electrified vehicles (BEV/HEV) - especially braking and steering integration.
• Experience with passenger cars, commercial vehicles or specialist vehicles.
• Experience in vehicle dynamics simulation tools, systems engineering approaches (V-model, requirements management tools), DOE, robustness engineering, and advanced validation techniques.
• Exposure to agile or hybrid development methodologies.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we believe in each person's potential. We are recognised as a disability confident employer and we value diversity, which drives innovation and creates a richer working environment.