Engineering Manager Jobs

The Engineering Manager is the operational and people leadership layer that translates engineering strategy into delivered programmes, maintained fleets and developed teams. Where the Engineering Director owns the strategic direction of an engineering function, the Engineering Manager owns its daily execution, driving technical quality, programme pace, team performance and process rigour across the disciplines and workstreams within their scope.

In the automotive sector, Engineering Manager roles span a wide range of contexts. At an OEM or Tier 1 supplier the Engineering Manager may lead a vehicle development programme team, a systems integration function or a validation and test department. At a fleet operator or VMU the role focuses on the maintenance engineering operation, vehicle availability and compliance. At an automotive engineering services business the remit typically combines project delivery management with technical team leadership across customer programmes.

Venatu recruits Engineering Managers for permanent and contract roles across automotive OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, automotive engineering services companies, fleet management organisations and commercial vehicle operators throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership, truck and van and operational support recruitment divisions. For Engineering Director and Technical Director appointments, visit Venatu Executive.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• UK automotive OEMs and manufacturer engineering and technical centres
• Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive component, systems and module suppliers
• Automotive engineering services and consultancy companies
• Type approval, homologation and vehicle certification businesses
• Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Units requiring engineering management leadership
• Bus, coach and commercial vehicle operators with in-house engineering functions
• Automotive technology, ADAS and connected vehicle software businesses
• Specialist vehicle, motorsport and defence vehicle engineering businesses

Roles We Place

• Engineering Manager
• Vehicle Engineering Manager
• Programme Engineering Manager
• Systems Engineering Manager
• Mechanical Engineering Manager
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Manager
• Software Engineering Manager (Automotive)
• Fleet Engineering Manager (VMU)
• Workshop Engineering Manager
• Senior Engineering Manager
• Interim Engineering Manager

Who Can Apply

Strong Engineering Manager candidates typically come from:

• Experienced Engineering Managers at OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers or fleet engineering operations who want to move to a new employer, a different vehicle platform, a broader programme scope or an improved package
• Senior or Principal Engineers who have led vehicle development programmes, cross-functional engineering project teams or technical workstreams and are ready to take on formal management accountability for a team or function
• Diagnostic Software Engineers with team or programme leadership experience who want to step into a broader engineering management role with scope beyond diagnostics
• Workshop Controllers or Technical Service Managers at franchised dealerships or fleet workshops who have been managing workshop operations and technical teams and want to move into an engineering management role within an OEM, supplier or fleet engineering context
• Fleet maintenance supervisors or VMU senior technicians who have built significant team leadership and engineering process management experience and are ready for a management appointment with full budget and headcount accountability
• Engineering project managers from adjacent sectors including aerospace, defence, rail or energy who want to apply their technical programme management skills in an automotive engineering context and have relevant transferable engineering leadership credentials
• Graduate or junior engineers who have progressed through a structured development programme at an OEM or Tier 1, have led sub-teams or managed specific programme deliverables and are making a planned step into a formal management role

Chartership through IMechE, IET or an equivalent professional institution is valued for OEM and supplier engineering manager roles but is not universally required. Demonstrated delivery track record and people management experience typically carry more weight than formal qualification status at management level. Venatu confirms the specific engineering discipline, programme context and any qualification preferences with each employer before presenting candidates.

Engineering Manager Salary Guide

Salaries reflect the size of the team managed, the complexity of the programme or operation, the engineering discipline and whether the role carries P&L or budget accountability. OEM and Tier 1 supplier roles with multi-programme or multi-site scope typically pay towards the higher end of each band. Most packages include a car allowance, pension and annual performance bonus. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each client before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive engineering and management role remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Responsibilities vary by employer type, engineering discipline and programme scope but typically include:

Team and People Management:

• Leading, developing and performance-managing an engineering team across one or more technical disciplines, including objective-setting, structured development conversations, recruitment and resource planning
• Building technical capability within the team through structured development activities, mentoring and access to manufacturer, institution or employer training programmes
• Managing team workload, priorities and capacity across concurrent programme or operational demands
• Creating a culture of engineering rigour, continuous improvement and accountability within the team

Programme and Technical Delivery:

• Managing the delivery of engineering programmes, product development workstreams or fleet maintenance operations to agreed time, cost and quality objectives
• Identifying and managing technical risks and issues, escalating where required and driving resolution through the team or cross-functionally
• Owning the technical quality and completeness of the team's engineering outputs including design documentation, test reports, validation sign-off and regulatory submissions
• Managing technical interfaces with other engineering disciplines, programme management, supply chain, commercial and operations functions

Budget and Resource Management:

• Managing the engineering team's budget, headcount, tooling and resource plans in line with programme requirements and business targets
• Managing external engineering contractors, specialist suppliers and technical service providers within the team's scope

Governance and Compliance:

• Ensuring the team's engineering work meets all relevant legislative, homologation, safety and quality standards applicable to the employer's products
• Representing the engineering function in programme reviews, milestone gates and customer or regulator meetings where required

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the engineering discipline, team size, programme scope, any qualification preferences and the technical and management experience required.
2. We confirm candidate availability and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for engineering discipline depth, team management experience, programme delivery track record and sector fit.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your engineering discipline, team size and management experience, programme or fleet operations scope and any relevant qualifications or chartership status.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your engineering specialism, management level and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What is the difference between an Engineering Manager and an Engineering Director in automotive? An Engineering Manager typically leads a team, programme or technical function within a defined scope, managing day-to-day delivery, team performance and technical quality. An Engineering Director carries broader strategic accountability for the direction of the engineering function as a whole, operates at board or executive level and defines the function's capability, investment and organisational shape. In smaller businesses the boundary between the two roles is less defined. Venatu clarifies the exact scope and reporting structure with each employer before presenting candidates.

What engineering disciplines does Venatu recruit Engineering Managers for in automotive? Venatu recruits Engineering Managers across mechanical, electrical and electronics, software, systems, calibration, validation, test, fleet maintenance and integrated programme management disciplines. The most common roles in current demand reflect the sector's transition to electrified and software-defined vehicles, with Diagnostic Software, ADAS and EV powertrain engineering management roles particularly active alongside established mechanical and systems engineering management at OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

Does an Engineering Manager need to be chartered? Chartership through IMechE, IET or an equivalent institution is valued and in some OEM and large Tier 1 environments is expected at senior engineering management level. However, demonstrated delivery through complex engineering programmes and proven people management capability typically carry more weight than formal qualification status, particularly in automotive engineering services and fleet management contexts. Venatu confirms chartership preferences with each employer before presenting candidates.

What does an Engineering Manager earn in the automotive sector? Experienced Engineering Managers typically earn between £62,000 and £80,000. Senior engineering managers earn between £75,000 and £95,000. Software engineering management roles often sit at the higher end of each range. Fleet and VMU engineering management roles typically range from £48,000 to £65,000. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Engineering Manager in automotive? Common progression routes include Senior Engineering Manager, Chief Engineer, Programme Director and Engineering Director. Engineering Managers who develop strong commercial and stakeholder management skills alongside their technical leadership are also well positioned for Technical Account Director, Head of Engineering and VP Engineering roles. Read about how the automotive engineering landscape is evolving in The Evolution Of Automobiles.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your engineering discipline, team size and management experience, programme scope and any relevant qualifications or chartership. Venatu will match you to current Engineering Manager vacancies across OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and fleet engineering operations, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your engineering management requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.