Chief Engineer - Large Excavator
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The Opportunity - Chief Engineer - Large Excavator
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About the role:
We’re looking for an experienced Chief Engineer to lead the engineering strategy and product development activities within the Large Excavators business. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for heading up the development of the next generation of wheeled excavators, including the Hydradig range, while also leading significant cost programmes for the Global Excvator range
The role carries significant responsibility for delivering major business objectives through new product introduction programmes (NPIP), product improvement initiatives, and substantial cost reduction activities that provide high-profile and commercially significant benefits to the business. As Chief Engineer, you’ll lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality and innovation.
• Lead the engineering development of the next generation Large Excavator product range, including wheeled excavators and Hydradig products.
• Provide technical leadership for the maintenance, improvement, and lifecycle management of the current JS excavator range.
• Take ownership of multiple New Product Introduction Process (NPIP) programmes, ensuring successful delivery against business objectives.
• Develop and execute current and future cost reduction initiatives, delivering substantial savings and value improvements across the product portfolio.
• Lead, coach, and develop the engineering team, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting succession planning.
• Work closely with cross-functional stakeholders including Product Management, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Service, and Commercial teams.
• Manage engineering budgets and create future budget forecasts for associated product ranges and projects.
• Drive engineering excellence, ensuring compliance with company processes, standards, and quality requirements.
• Support strategic planning activities and contribute to the long-term product roadmap for the Large Excavators business.
• Monitor programme performance, risks, and resource requirements to ensure successful project delivery.
This will be suited to you if...
• You have a minimum of 10 years' engineering experience within the off-highway equipment sector, preferably construction equipment, military vehicles, or a similar heavy vehicle environment.
• You have proven experience leading large-scale engineering programmes from concept through to production.
• You possess strong technical knowledge of vehicle systems, product development, and engineering delivery processes.
• You have experience managing and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• You can demonstrate a track record of delivering significant cost reduction and value engineering projects.
• You hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• You are commercially aware and capable of balancing technical, financial, and business priorities.
• You have strong stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ideally, you will have a working knowledge of JCB systems, processes, and governance frameworks.
• You are passionate about innovation and motivated by the opportunity to shape the future of the Large Excavator product range.
This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic engineering leader to play a key role in delivering the future vision of the Large Excavators business while driving significant commercial and product success.
What happens next?
Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial team’s interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at recruitment@jcb.com
What's in it for you?
This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor and dentist. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.
We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email recruitment@jcb.com, and a member of the team will be in touch.
Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.