Principal Engineer
| Posting date: | 10 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £48,698 to £54,821 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Starting Salary of £44,198 - £50,321 with an additional engineering skills allowance of £4,500 increasing to £9,000 after 3 years. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 July 2025 |
| Location: | Nuneaton |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 415034/1 |
Summary
Do you enjoy the challenge of leading technical teams and take pride in delivering high-quality outcomes at pace?
Can you adapt to change and lead the delivery of new ideas and practices?
Does a vocation with the opportunity for travel, career progression and many other benefits appeal to you?
If you are looking for your next opportunity, we would like to hear from you.
Our work is focused on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection by providing robust testing and certification to national and internationally recognised standards. We are a part of the Department of Transport as the designated UK Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With more than 40 years’ experience, we have become one of the largest and well-respected approval bodies around. This position has been built on a reputation for technical expertise and quality, which is at the heart of everything we do, and what you could be a part of.
Do not just take our word for it, here is Andrew Neil, Head of Midlands Operations at the VCA, to tell you more. Please also refer to our Candidate Pack and VCA website for more information.
VCA International Operations - Join the team
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at Vehicle Certification Agency - Department for Transport Careers
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Executive Officer (SEO) to join the Vehicle Certification Agency’s International Operations Team. This role offers the chance to work at the forefront of vehicle certification, supporting both UK and international clients in a fast-evolving technical landscape.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Brings enthusiasm and drive, working collaboratively with colleagues, stakeholders, and customers to deliver results.
- Enjoys the challenges of leadership and management in a technically complex environment, supporting and developing a high-performing team of engineers.
- Thrives on variety and flexibility, adapting to shifting priorities and contributing across a broad range of technical and operational activities.
- Is proactive and organised, with strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills—both written and verbal.
Our team is constantly evolving, with colleagues developing new skills and progressing into diverse roles across the Agency. This growth creates exciting new opportunities—like this one—for talented individuals to join us and make a real impact.
Your main duties will include, but are not limited to:
As a Principal Engineer (SEO), you will play a key leadership role in the delivery of vehicle, system, and component certification services.
- Lead and Develop a High-Performing Technical Team
Provide day-to-day management and strategic leadership for a team of Type Approval Engineers and Technical Support Officers. Support their professional development, ensure consistent delivery of high-quality work, and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and motivated team culture. - Oversee and Assure Certification Activities
Take responsibility for the planning, coordination, and oversight of complex Type Approval and Conformity of Production (CoP) programmes. This includes ensuring the technical accuracy and regulatory compliance of activities such as vehicle and component inspections, test witnessing, and approval documentation. - Drive Operational Excellence and Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a senior point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, alignment with ISO17020 and ISO17025 standards, and continuous improvement of processes. Champion quality, customer service, and technical integrity across all areas of delivery.
To see the full role information, please see the attached role profile.
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