Principal Engineer

We welcome applications from every part of the community, and we don’t discriminate against any gender identity. We’re especially interested to hear from underrepresented groups in the DfT such as gender diverse, ethnic minority, LGBT+ and disabled candidates. 

• Do you have experience in an automotive environement?
• Do you have demonstrable project management skills?
• Do you have excellent communication skills?

 If so, we would love to hear from you!

The role of the Principal Engineer builds upon the experience of the Type Approval Engineer to introduce increased levels of leadership, responsibility and focus upon quality, customer satisfaction, business development, programmes management, financial control and efficient delivery by VCA’s operational resources. Each Principal Engineer will have responsibility for several manufacturers approvals and manage a team of Type Approval Engineers.

Where the job sits within the VCA

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority and is an Executive agency of the Department for Transport with over 30 years’ experience supporting industry by providing internationally recognised testing and certification for vehicles, their systems and components. 

Although VCA is one agency, operationally it has two separate responsibilities split between the Type Approval Authority and the Technical Service.  The role of Principal Engineer falls under the Technical Service part of the Agency.  Here they provide provide testing services along with witness tests and process the documentation for a range of systems and component approvals that can be used to create Whole Vehicle Type approvals.  They work in all areas of transport including, car, truck, bus, motorcycle and agricultural manufacturers.  Witnessing and performing tests to a range of internationally recognised standards.  The work entails testing to national and international standards, ensuring that vehicles and components meet the safety and environmental standards that the United Kingdom and wider international markets expect.  The work is both demanding and exciting and in this area engineers will work with some of the most advanced manufactures in the automotive sector worldwide.

Your Duties:

Your main duties will include:

• Support manufacturers in completion of certification activities, ensuring requirements are understood and delivered in a timely manner.
•  Be responsible for programme worst case review, planning, resourcing, testing, reporting, certification and commercial completeness of transaction.
•  Provide and co-ordinate excellence of service to a client and oversee client programmes to ensure the cost efficient utilisation of VCA’s qualified and skilled engineer resources.
•  Line manager for a team of Type Approval Engineers
•  Work with internal stakeholders to co-ordinate certification planning and, in line with the client’s needs/expectations, give due consideration to the most appropriate certification issue strategy (e.g. on job or in VCA office) and the overall certification timing requirements.
•  Deputy Technical manager for VCA MC for ISO17020
•  Excellence of communication with the client (at all appropriate levels) and across VCA’s associated branches will be critical to effective leadership and customer satisfaction. Regular review meetings and liaison will be required.
•  Support the wider Operational team in the development of internal standards and processes.
•  Some Principal Engineer positions may carry special responsibilities for staff, facilities, technical expertise, training of engineers etc.

For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.

About You

We are looking for an individual with the below experience:

• Experience in an automotive regulatory or testing role and be a subject matter expert for key technical areas
• Be skilled in working in a customer oriented environment
• Have proven financial and leadership development skills, showing an aptitude for developing a business relationship with key clients
• Have demonstrable project management skills
• Possess the ability to adapt to changing priorities and workload.

Additional Information

A minimum of 40% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace.

There will be extensive travel across the UK and overseas (including stays of up to 4 weeks).

Development Opportunities 

VCA offers career advancement opportunities to grow your knowledge and increase your expertise.  They work with manufacturers that are introducing the latest technologies to their vehicles, giving you the opportunity to gain an understanding of these vehicle systems.  Both internal and external training is provided for technical subjects.

The role provides worldwide travel opportunities to work for short periods.  Longer term fully supported overseas postings in one of our offices in Europe, America, Japan, China, South Korea, India or Australia are also available periodically.

Membership to professional associations is supported by VCA, and Chartered and Incorporated Engineers are available to support professional registration.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Building and applying knowledge – Applying Knowledge
• Technical oversite and management – Overseating technical work.

Being part of the Civil Service entitles you to a wider range of fantastic benefits,  including flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave allowance and attractive pension options.  More specific to VCA, employees can benefit from childcare vouchers and access to cycle to work and Tech schemes.

If you would like to read more about VCA and the benefits of working for us, visit our Careers Page.

Job contact :

• Name : Peter Cullingham
• Email : peter.cullingham@vca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DFTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk