SWARCO ITS
Head of Engineering
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Become part of our SWARCO team as
Head of Engineering
Company Description
At SWARCO, we're shaping the future of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). From connected infrastructure and traffic management to smart mobility and EV charging, our technology keeps people moving safely and efficiently.
Challenge
Head of Engineering – UK & Ireland
Location: Flexible – Hybrid
Salary: Competitive
We're looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Engineering to lead our UK & Ireland Engineering function, with responsibility expanding across the Middle East. This is a rare opportunity to influence the future direction of engineering within a global technology business while playing a pivotal role in modernising transport infrastructure.
This position has been created to ensure a successful transition ahead of the planned retirement of our current Head of Engineering in 2027, providing an extensive handover period and the opportunity to shape the future of the function.
What you'll do
Reporting to the Head of Region UK & Ireland + Middle East, you'll provide strategic leadership across all engineering activities, ensuring our engineering capability, technology roadmap and delivery align with both regional business objectives and SWARCO's global strategy.
You'll lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across hardware, software, systems and product development, driving innovation while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, compliance and operational excellence.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing and delivering the regional engineering strategy aligned with business objectives.
- Leading engineering teams across Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), including Urban, Interurban and EV Charging technologies.
- Driving the transition from legacy infrastructure to scalable, AI-enabled technology solutions.
- Working closely with SWARCO's global Technology Services Group (TSG) and international engineering teams to align standards, architecture and product development.
- Leading Agile transformation and embedding modern engineering practices to improve delivery performance.
- Establishing robust engineering governance, estimation frameworks and performance KPIs.
- Managing engineering budgets, resource planning and long-term capability development.
- Supporting product development throughout the entire product lifecycle alongside the Head of Products & Solutions.
- Identifying opportunities to introduce emerging technologies including AI, IoT and automation.
- Ensuring engineering activities meet all statutory, regulatory, cybersecurity and quality requirements.
- Supporting business development activities through technical leadership on bids, customer engagement and strategic opportunities.
- Developing future engineering talent through coaching, succession planning and leadership development.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Profile
What you'll bring
We're looking for an inspirational engineering leader with significant experience operating within complex engineering, infrastructure or transport technology environments.
Essential
- Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
- Professional Engineering qualification or membership of a recognised Engineering Institution.
- Significant senior engineering leadership experience with responsibility for engineering strategy, delivery and operational performance.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through organisational growth and change.
- Strong understanding of modern software-enabled infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud technologies and systems integration.
- Experience establishing engineering governance, standards and best practice.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience supporting customer bids and technical proposals.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience working across international and matrix organisations.
- Outstanding leadership, communication and people development skills.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable
- Experience within Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Traffic Management or Smart Mobility.
- Knowledge of AI, IoT, Connected Infrastructure or Computer Vision technologies.
- Experience implementing Agile delivery methodologies.
- Experience working across international engineering organisations.
Benefits
Why join SWARCO?
This is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of engineering within one of the world's leading Intelligent Transport Systems businesses.
You'll work alongside global technology leaders, help shape next-generation transport solutions and play a key role in delivering safer, smarter and more sustainable mobility across the UK, Ireland and the Middle East.
In return, you'll join a collaborative business that invests in its people and encourages innovation, continuous improvement and professional development.
Our values underpin everything we do:
- Agility
- Reliability & Trust
- Passion
- Innovation
- Cooperation
SWARCO is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to equality of opportunity.
We politely request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. SWARCO works exclusively with our approved recruitment partners, and any unsolicited CVs submitted outside of these arrangements will not be accepted.
#ITS
SWARCO is growing. Grow with us. The online application can be submitted with just a few clicks. We look forward to new talents who will help us shape the mobility of tomorrow.
SWARCO UK
Vermont Place
MK15 8JA Tongwell
Information on processing of your personal data is available https://www.swarco.com/privacy-information-applicants
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills