Rolls-Royce
Chief Design Engineer – Engineering for Production & Aftermarket
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Job Description
Chief Design Engineer – Engineering for Production & Aftermarket
Full Time – Hybrid
Derby
Why Join Rolls-Royce?
At Rolls-Royce, we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.
By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
Role Overview
Lead the Engineering for Production and Aftermarket (EPA) capability and Technical Response organisation across Civil and Defence programmes. Responsible for ensuring effective engineering support to production, aftermarket and operational priorities, whilst developing the capability, capacity and delivery models required to meet current and future business needs. Drive operational excellence through Zero Defects, Lean, Digital and AI-enabled transformation, ensuring engineering capability, processes and governance support safe, compliant and efficient business delivery.
Key Accountabilities
Capability & Resource Leadership
- Lead, develop and engage engineering personnel to deliver current and future business requirements
- Own the capability strategy, workforce roadmap and resource plans for the organisation
- Ensure sufficient capability, capacity and specialist expertise to support business demand
- Develop sustainable capability through talent development, succession planning, skills growth and professional development
- Define and oversee the strategic use of Managed Service Suppliers and external delivery partners
Technical Response & Operational Support
- Lead technical response activities supporting production, aftermarket, repair and MRO operations
- Ensure effective engineering support for operational issues, technical risks, concessions and product-related challenges
- Provide governance and prioritisation of engineering resources to address business-critical operational needs
- Act as the senior escalation route for technical and operational delivery challenges.
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Operational Excellence & Zero Defects
- Lead and industrialise the Zero Defects strategy across Civil and Defence.
- Drive improvements in quality, concession reduction, technical variance reduction and operational performance
- Establish governance, metrics and improvement plans that deliver measurable business outcomes
- Champion continuous improvement and operational best practice
Transformation, Digital & AI
- Lead Lean, Digital and AI-enabled initiatives that improve engineering effectiveness and business performance
- Drive simplification, standardisation and automation of engineering processes and delivery models
- Support delivery of strategic transformation programmes
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with Engineering, Quality, Product Safety and HS&E requirements
- Promote effective knowledge management, lessons learned and best-practice sharing
- Maintain effective relationships with business stakeholders, suppliers, partners and regulatory bodies where required
Key Experiences and Qualifications
- Degree qualified engineer or equivalent experience
- Proven leadership of engineering capability, operational support or production-facing engineering organisations
- Strong understanding of engineering delivery, operational performance and business strategy
- Experience leading transformation, continuous improvement or operational excellence programmes
- Experience of workforce planning, capability development and stakeholder leadership
- Strong understanding of product safety, quality and engineering governance requirements
- Experience working with Managed Service Providers and external partners is desirable
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Regional Benefits
- Generous Annual Leave
- Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust
- Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce
- Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury
- Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!
Our Vision
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Grade: Management Level B
For more information, please contact: Alison Connaughton alison.connaughton@Rolls-Royce.com
Job Category
Engineering for Services
Posting Dates
Posting Date: 07 Sept 2026; 00:09
Posting End Date: 13 Sept 2026
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