Vehicle Chief Engineer

Overview

Role: Vehicle Chief Engineer

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Leamington Spa, On Site

Role ID: 2026-3416

Ricardo - Pushing Boundaries: A World leader in propulsion engineering from concept to production

Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems. We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production. For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress. Headquartered in Shoreham by Sea (UK), Ricardo brings together more than 1,000 experts and delivers in excess of 200 major programmes globally at any given time. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com

The Role

The Vehicle Chief Engineer will lead the end-to-end technical delivery of vehicle programs, with responsibility for the integration and performance of key vehicle systems including chassis, suspension, steering, braking, and vehicle dynamics.

This role serves as the technical authority for the complete vehicle, ensuring all systems are integrated to deliver performance, safety, durability, and regulatory compliance in line with UK and global automotive standards. The position requires a strong background as a Vehicle Chief Engineer, Lead Vehicle Engineer, or Chassis Chief who is a hands-on leader with deep experience in vehicle engineering, strong programme leadership capability, and a proven track record of delivering production-ready vehicles. Proven ability to deliver production vehicles in a regulatory environment is also key alongside being a strategic thinker with ability to align engineering with business objectives, a strong problem-solving mindset and resilience. You should have the ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, fast-paced organisation with a drive for innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Vehicle Technical Authority for assigned programmes.

• Own vehicle-level integration across all systems

• Project Execution

• Innovation & Problem Solving

• Mentorship & Team Development

• Quality & Compliance

• Customer Focus

Key Competencies and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Automotive, or Systems Engineering (Master’s preferred)

Demonstrable experience in vehicle engineering, including:

• Chassis systems (suspension, steering, brakes)
• Vehicle integration and attribute delivery
• Proven experience in full vehicle programme delivery
• Demonstrated leadership in:
• Design and validation
• Vehicle testing (track and road)
• Production readiness
• Experience delivering vehicle DVP&R and homologation requirements
• Strong track record in problem solving using structured methods (8D, DOE, RCA)

Extensive experience in vehicle-level engineering and system integration

Deep expertise in chassis systems, including:

• Suspension design and tuning
• Steering systems (EPS, rack design, steering feel development)
• Brake systems (hydraulic, electronic stability systems, regen blending)
• Vehicle structures and chassis layouts
• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics and attribute development
• Proven experience delivering vehicle DVP&R and validation programmes
• Solid grounding in:
• Cad (E.g., Catia, Nx)
• GD&T
• FMEA and engineering documentation

Project & Technical Leadership

• Proven ability to lead complex vehicle programmes in a cross-functional environment
• Experience with technical governance, design reviews, and sign-off processes
• Strong supplier management experience, particularly for chassis and braking systems
• Good understanding of cost, timing, and programme delivery constraints
• Effective risk management and decision-making capability
• Excellent communicator across technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong leadership presence with ability to influence stakeholders
• Experience leading and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams
• Customer-focused mindset with strong stakeholder engagement skills

Desirable

Industry Knowledge

• Experience in UK or European automotive OEM or Tier 1 environments

Familiarity with:

• UNECE regulations and UK type approval processes
• Electrified vehicles (BEV/HEV), especially integration of braking and steering systems
• Experience with passenger cars, commercial vehicles, or specialist vehicles

Advanced Engineering Methods

• Experience with:
• Vehicle dynamics simulation tools
• Systems engineering approaches (V-model, requirements management tools)
• Knowledge of DOE, robustness engineering, and advanced validation techniques
• Exposure to agile or hybrid development methodologies

Working here

You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters. We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion. We will support you to find your place.

We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on. Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach as explained here. We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment. Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can. As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and to ensure an inclusive culture, we are a recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.

Next steps

Once you have submitted your application a member of our Recruitment Team will be in touch. Please be aware that the timing can vary dependent on the volume of applications that we receive for each role and in some cases, we may start to review applications prior to the closing date.

Ricardo is a Disability confident employer please advise the recruitment team via [email protected] if you require any adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.

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