Director of Design EngineeringLocation: SpainWe are looking for an experienced engineering leader to lead Engineering Services across Europe, with senior leadership responsibility for the Spain Design Center.This is a senior leadership position combining people leadership, business performance, customer engagement and engineering delivery. The successful candidate will lead the engineering organisation, drive business growth, strengthen customer relationships and build the capabilities required to support continued growth.The role will suit a strong people and business leader who is comfortable driving change, improving processes and developing high-performing engineering teams in a customer-focused environment.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the Engineering Services strategy and operating plan across Europe, with responsibility for the Spain Design Center.Lead and develop senior engineering leaders and multidisciplinary teams, creating a high-performing, collaborative and accountable culture.Own business performance, including revenue, margin, operating performance, customer satisfaction, quality and delivery.Work closely with customers, Sales and commercial teams to identify opportunities, develop solutions, prepare proposals and convert opportunities into profitable growth.Lead cross-functional engineering teams delivering complex product development and design programmes from concept and requirements through design, verification, validation, manufacturing transfer and lifecycle support.Build and develop the capabilities required for a competitive European design centre, including engineering talent, technical leadership, labs,



prototype and test infrastructure.Establish effective operating processes, governance and performance metrics to drive visibility, accountability and disciplined execution.Drive continuous improvement and change across people, processes, engineering tools and ways of working.Hire, coach and develop managers and senior technical leaders, ensuring the organisation has the right skills and capabilities for future growth.Manage budgets, resources and investment priorities while maintaining a strong focus on commercial performance.Represent the organisation with customers, senior leadership and external partners.Create an environment where teams take ownership, challenge existing approaches and develop effective solutions to complex engineering and business problems.Experience & QualificationsBachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.12+ years' experience in product development, design engineering or engineering services.Significant leadership experience within a multidisciplinary engineering environment.Proven experience leading teams across areas such as project management, mechanical, electrical, software, test and product development.Experience managing budgets, resources, financial targets and P&L responsibility.Strong customer-facing and commercial skills,



with experience presenting technical solutions and building senior-level relationships.Strong analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.Fluent in Spanish and English.Willingness to relocate to Spain.Experience in medical device, healthcare, aerospace, defence, industrial or other regulated manufacturing environments would be advantageous. Experience with design for manufacturability, design transfer, industrialisation, commercialisation, embedded systems, mechatronics or robotics would also be beneficial.Candidate ProfileThe successful candidate is likely to be an experienced Engineering Director, Head of Engineering, R&D Director, Product Development Director or similar senior engineering leader.They will be comfortable operating at senior leadership level, managing other leaders and taking ownership of an engineering organisation. They should be confident challenging existing ways of working while being collaborative, commercially minded and capable of building strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders.This role will suit someone who enjoys building and developing teams, improving engineering operations and combining technical leadership with commercial and business responsibility.Working EnvironmentBased in Spain with a primarily site/office-based working environment.Regular interaction with customers, engineering teams and senior leadership.Travel across Europe and to customer or company locations as required.Potential for the role to develop into a broader multi-site engineering leadership position as the organisation grows.#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Director Of Design Engineering (Madrid)
🏢 Sterling Engineering Ltd - Ireland & Europe
📍 Madrid