DescriptionWe have secured a strong pipeline of programme contracts and are hiring for a Head of Defence & Nuclear Energy – Engineering Services to support the delivery of both new facilities and upgrades across the areas of defence, nuclear decommissioning and nuclear fuel production cycle at various licenced sites across the UK.
The Head of eaHead of Defence & Nuclear Energy – Engineering Services will act as the primary point of contact between the sector team and Engineering Services, working closely with contract Key Account Directors and Project Management Offices to identify and understand all opportunities for internal delivery of engineering services, as well as client problem statements and bid win strategies. They will work with Engineering Discipline Managers to shape value propositions and bids and be accountable for the successful delivery of multi-disciplinary engineering services across Costain’s portfolio of Defence & Nuclear Energy (D&NE) projects through appropriate deployment of people, processes and systems.
This is an opportunity to play and integral role in driving Costain’s growth and strategic objectives of being an engineering led business within the Nuclear and Defence Sector. This role will report directly to the Group Director of Engineering Services. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement predominantly based in London or Manchester, with a requirement to occasionally work at multiple locations throughout the UK depending on contract needs.
At Costain, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.
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ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
Engineering pipeline and resource forecasting
Responsible for working with the D&NE sector teams to gain insight of the engineering services pipeline and maximise opportunities for internal delivery of engineering services. Must accurately forecast future resource needs within the sector to inform multi-disciplinary resource requirements and recruitment to meet demand. Expected to ensure the collective team skillsets and deployed resources accurately align with current and future project demands and complexity.
Project Delivery & Progress Reporting
Responsible for leading the successful delivery of multi-disciplinary engineering services across all D&NE projects and contracts, managing Project Engineering Managers with individual project responsibility and ensuring optimal operation of the D&NE engineering delivery teams. Will ensure scope and service requirements, budgets and programmes are clearly defined and adhered to. Will be responsible for monitoring progress against budget and programme and clear reporting of this to senior management, sectors and clients.
Technical Governance & Quality
Must work with Engineering Discipline Managers to ensure the delivery of technically compliant and quality-controlled designs which meet scope requirements, ensuring all the necessary technical and regulatory assurance activities have been undertaken across the program lifecycle. To input into the development, management and maintenance of corporate technical management systems, including digital integration. Expected to proactively assist in resolving complex technical and delivery issues where identified.
Strategy & Growth
Be involved in the development and robust implementation of Costain’s overarching engineering strategy within the D&NE space, fostering client relations and driving successful delivery outcomes aligned with Costain’s strategic drivers. Responsible for enhancing Costain’s internal engineering capability and workload volumes to drive growth ambitions.
Work Winning
Collaborate strategically with Account Directors to forecast service demand and proactively identify early client opportunities, coordinating the in-house engineering contribution to develop best in class value propositions and winning bids. Must identify and monitor engineering budgets and resource requirements for tender activities and ensure compliance with all internal governance processes.
Risk, Change & Continuous Improvement
Facilitate the capturing and clear communication of technical risks and opportunities to all stakeholders. Oversee the effective management of design change, applying a systematic challenge to minimise unnecessary scope variation. Act as a visible leader in developing a design delivery culture that emphasises ownership and accountability. Embed a structured approach to lessons learned and apply continuous improvement principles to all aspects of engineering services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Essential
- A background in managing the delivery of engineering services on complex projects across the programme lifecycle, preferably within the Defence & Nuclear Energy sectors
Experience in successfully managing the delivery of complex engineering scopes to budget and programme, and effective change management
- A background in managing single or multi-disciplinary engineering teams, responsible for managing workload, resource demand and skillsets
Significant engineering design experience within respective engineering discipline
Be an authority in multiple design and construction systems and process models (e.g. plan of work)
Experienced technical manager capable of reviewing technical quality and compliance of design deliverables; understanding of key technical concepts across a range of design disciplines (e.g. structural, mechanical and electrical engineering)
Experience setting up / running design, assurance and reporting process on large projects
Understanding of Defence & Nuclear Energy sector clients, challenges, opportunities and procurement / contract strategies
Security Clearance The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Desirable
Experience setting up, leading or operating other aspects of project engineering delivery such as design workflows, information management systems, quality controls
Experience working with or on large-scale manufacturing sites
- A thought leader in the field of engineering design and design management, with the ability to implement new ideas, technologies or practices that will influence the industry
QualificationsEssential
- Degree qualification in a relevant engineering discipline
- Chartered Engineer
