Site Engineering Lead

Rising Talent Recruitment is working in partnership with a major manufacturing business to appoint a Site Engineering Lead—a pivotal role sitting on the senior leadership team, responsible for shaping the future of engineering, asset strategy, and operational performance on site.

What sets this opportunity apart is the level of genuine influence it offers at site level—you won’t just be maintaining performance, you’ll be shaping it. This is a role where you can take ownership of the long-term direction of the engineering function, embedding structure, driving best practice, and building something sustainable. You’ll be joining a business that is actively investing in modernisation and continuous improvement, giving you the platform to implement real change. It’s a well-rounded position that brings together technical expertise, leadership capability, and commercial awareness, offering the chance to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

You’ll take ownership of a well-established engineering function and transform it into a structured, forward-thinking, reliability-led operation.

This role is about:

Moving from reactive to planned maintenance

Embedding asset lifecycle thinking

Driving modernisation and obsolescence strategy

Building a high-performing, engaged engineering team

You’ll work closely with production, maintenance, and reliability to ensure the plant is not only running—but continuously improving.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Define and deliver a long-term engineering strategy aligned to business goals

Lead asset lifecycle planning, including a 5–10 year modernisation roadmap

Own and manage equipment obsolescence

Introduce structure through RCM principles, CMMS discipline, and asset criticality frameworks

Drive improvements in uptime, throughput and reliability

Lead and develop a team of engineers, building capability and succession

Embed a strong safety culture and ensure full compliance

Play a key role in capital planning and project delivery

What We’re Looking For:

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering (or Chartered status)

Proven leadership experience within a manufacturing or process environment

Strong understanding of:

Asset management & lifecycle planning

Reliability / maintenance best practice

Automation, controls, and obsolescence challenges

A leader who can challenge the norm and implement structure

Someone who can bring people with them, not just drive change from the top