Group Engineering & Fabrication Lead

Group Engineering & Fabrication Manager

North Nottinghamshire | Senior appointment | Competitive salary, company car and benefits

Engineering knowledge. Commercial instinct. Leadership that makes a difference.

We are looking for an experienced engineering and fabrication professional who combines detailed technical estimating expertise with strong commercial judgement, customer-facing confidence and the ability to lead a team.

This is a senior opportunity to take ownership of a key area of an established, mid-sized engineering business, employing approximately 150 people and operating predominantly within the rail sector.

As our current post holder prepares for retirement, we are seeking someone who can bring the depth of experience needed to maintain high standards, build on established customer relationships and drive the future commercial success of our engineering and fabrication activities.

This is a role for someone who understands the detail behind the numbers, is comfortable making commercial decisions and can translate technical requirements into accurate, competitive and profitable work.

The Role

You will take the lead in our engineering and fabrication activities, with responsibility for estimating, pricing, commercial decision-making, customer relationships and team leadership.

A significant part of the role will involve personally applying your technical and commercial expertise to assess enquiries, interpret engineering drawings and specifications, establish realistic costs and determine appropriate prices for subcontract welding and fabrication work.

You will understand the practicalities of fabrication, the variables that influence cost, and the importance of balancing competitive pricing with sustainable margins. You will have the confidence to challenge assumptions, identify risks and make informed decisions about the work the business should pursue.

Alongside this hands-on estimating responsibility, you will lead and develop the team, work closely with colleagues across the business and identify opportunities to strengthen existing customer relationships and develop profitable new business.

While rail is our principal market, we are open to opportunities in other sectors where our capabilities, capacity and commercial objectives align.

Key Responsibilities

Estimating and pricing: Take ownership of estimates and quotations for subcontract welding and fabrication work, ensuring technical accuracy and commercial viability.

Technical assessment: Interpret engineering drawings, specifications and customer requirements to understand the scope, complexity and practical requirements of each job.

Cost and margin management: Assess materials, labour, manufacturing processes, subcontract costs and other relevant factors to establish realistic pricing and protect profitability.

Commercial judgement: Evaluate enquiries, identify potential risks and make informed decisions about pricing, competitiveness and the suitability of work for the business.

Customer relationships: Act as a key point of contact for customers, building trust and managing technical discussions, quotations and commercial negotiations.

Team leadership: Lead, support and develop the engineering and fabrication team, setting clear expectations and promoting high standards.

Operational collaboration: Work with production and operational colleagues to ensure estimates reflect manufacturing capability, resource requirements and delivery expectations.

Business development: Identify opportunities within existing markets and explore new sectors where profitable work can be secured.

Continuous improvement: Develop estimating methods, pricing consistency and commercial processes to support effective decision-making and business performance.

About you

You will be an experienced engineering or fabrication professional with substantial, hands-on knowledge of estimating and pricing work. You will understand how welding and fabrication jobs are delivered and have the technical ability to assess drawings, calculate costs and develop commercially sound quotations with knowledge of execution levels.

You will bring the experience to make informed decisions independently, together with the confidence to engage with customers, support colleagues and lead a team.

Extensive experience of estimating and pricing welding, fabrication or related engineering work.

The ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and customer requirements accurately.

A detailed understanding of fabrication processes and the factors that influence manufacturing costs.

Strong commercial awareness, including pricing, margins, profitability and risk.

Confidence in customer-facing technical and commercial discussions.

Experience of managing, leading or developing a team.

A practical, analytical approach and the ability to make sound decisions under commercial pressure.

The initiative to identify opportunities, challenge established thinking where appropriate and drive improvements.

Experience in the rail sector would be advantageous, but it is not essential. We welcome applications from candidates in other relevant engineering, fabrication and manufacturing environments who can demonstrate the depth of technical estimating expertise and commercial judgement required.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who understands both the engineering and the business — and knows how to turn that understanding into profitable work.

The opportunity and package

This is a genuine opportunity to take on a senior position with meaningful responsibility and the scope to influence an important part of the business.

You will have the opportunity to build on an established operation, lead a team, maintain and develop customer relationships, and contribute directly to commercial performance and future growth.

Reward includes a highly competitive salary commensurate with experience and the seniority of the appointment together with other benefits including a company car (or cash alternative if preferred).

Additional company benefits following qualifying period.

We recognise the value of the expertise required for this role and are interested in speaking with candidates who can demonstrate the right combination of technical knowledge, estimating experience, commercial ability and leadership.

Interested in taking the next step?

If you have the experience to lead our engineering and fabrication activities, the technical expertise to price work with confidence and the commercial judgement to help drive profitable growth, we look forward to speaking with you.

To find out more about this opportunity, please submit your resume and employment history indicating remuneration expectations.

Location: North Nottinghamshire Salary: Highly Competitive, commensurate with experience Benefits: Company car & additional benefits

All enquiries will be handled confidentially