Engineering Site Lead

Job description

Engineering Site Lead

Vacancy details

General information

Entity

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.

Reference

2026-171770

Position description

Domain

Research, design and development

Job field / Job profile

Industrial engineering - Special processes engineering

Job title

Engineering Site Lead

Employment type

Permanent

Professional category

Professional, Engineer & Manager

Part time / Full time

Full-time

Job description

Role Purpose:

The Engineering Site Lead is the technical authority for the site, accountable for the integrity, safety, performance, and future capability of all engineered systems and assets.

This role is not manufacturing-focused. It exists to ensure that complex technical infrastructure, plant, and systems are designed, operated, maintained, and improved to the highest engineering standards, while meeting regulatory, safety, and commercial requirements.

You will combine hands-on technical credibility with leadership, setting engineering direction rather than reacting to problems.

Technical Authority & Governance

Act as the site's senior engineering authority, signing off technical decisions, standards, and risk acceptance

Own site engineering governance, ensuring compliance with relevant codes, legislation, and industry standards

Interface with regulators, auditors, insurers, and external technical bodies

Lead technical risk assessments and ensure risks are properly engineered out—not administratively managed

Engineered Systems Ownership

Full lifecycle ownership of site technical systems (e.g. electrical, mechanical, controls, instrumentation, HVAC, pressure systems, utilities, specialist plant)

Ensure systems are designed, commissioned, operated, and maintained in line with original design intent and evolving site requirements

Challenge legacy design assumptions and drive modernisation where systems are no longer fit for purpose

Reliability, Integrity & Asset Management

Set the technical strategy for asset integrity, reliability and life-extension

Lead failure investigations and complex root cause analysis

Define preventative, predictive and condition-based maintenance philosophies

Own asset health, obsolescence management, and long-term replacement planning

Technical Projects & Change

Technical sponsor for site engineering projects and modifications

Ensure change is managed through robust engineering change control (MOC)

Review and approve designs, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation

Ensure CAPEX delivers genuine engineering value, not short-term fixes

Engineering Standards & Continuous Improvement

Define and maintain site engineering standards and best practice

Drive continuous improvement through data, engineering insight, and new technologies

Champion digital tools, automation, and modern maintenance/reliability techniques where appropriate

Team Leadership & Capability

Lead and develop a team of engineers and technical specialists

Build deep technical capability, not just task completion

Mentor engineers and act as a role model for engineering judgement and professionalism

Ensure appropriate succession and skills coverage across disciplines

But what else? (benefits, specificities, etc.)

• Competitive salary

• Car or car allowance

• Company performance bonus scheme

• Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution

• Private medical insurance

• Comprehensive health cash plan

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays

• Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, Maternity/ adoption leave- up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% (basic pay) and Paternity/Non-Pregnant Parent/ Co-adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)

• Structured training & opportunities to progress

Candidate skills & requirements

Degree-qualified in an engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or similar)

Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) strongly preferred

Significant experience in a technical engineering environment (e.g. energy, aerospace, defence, utilities, data centres, laboratories, complex facilities)

Proven experience as a technical authority or senior engineer responsible for complex systems

Strong knowledge of engineering standards, safety legislation, and asset integrity principles

Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders with evidence-based engineering judgement

Position location

Job location

Europe, UK, England, West Midlands

City (-ies)

Stafford Road WV10 7EH Wolverhampton