Head of Control & Electronics Engineering

Ricardo•Van Buren Township, MI

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Ricardo, a member of WSP, is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company with over 100 years of engineering excellence and close to 3,000 employees in more than 20 countries. The Control & Electronics Engineering Capability Group is responsible for the technical delivery of electronic control and electrical systems, encompassing electrical, electronics, control, and embedded software skills from requirements capture to validation. Applications include engines, transmissions, hybrid & electric vehicles, power electronics, batteries and battery management systems, energy systems, and special vehicles. The Head of Control & Electronics Engineering reports to the Global Head of Engineering and leads the global Control & Electronics Capability Group, focusing on team management, client engagement, technical solutions, and successful project delivery. This role involves defining and executing the Control & Electronics Engineering strategy, recruiting and developing talent, and enhancing capability through new tools, processes, and skillsets. Close collaboration with other Engineering Capability groups, Test and Project Management functions, and Product & Technology teams is essential. The position requires a strong, broad technical background in control, electronics, electrical, embedded software, or systems engineering.

Requirements

Strong leadership skills and experience managing technical teams to deliver client projects.
Technically literate and keen to learn and teach new technologies.
Good understanding of the needs of Ricardo's clients and the operation of a technical consultancy business.
Good business and finance acumen.
Sound engineering background for robust technical reviews and assessment of engineering processes.
Good knowledge and experience of Industrial and Automotive gateway processes.
Experience in technical project leadership & program management.
Inspirational and credible leader, able to create a compelling vision and lead teams.
Excellent communication and leadership qualities, with a high standard of written and spoken English.
Attention to detail and willingness to drive for solutions and compromise when required.
Confident influencer, able to operate effectively at all levels and across matrixed organizational structures.
Strategic and agile thinker with a strong ability to identify opportunities, initiate improvements, and respond effectively to change.
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and focus.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining quality and delivery.
Flexible work approach and willingness to meet client demands, including global travel.
Experience in relevant engineering and technology sectors, with extensive industry experience in control, electronics, electrical, embedded software, or systems engineering.
Degree qualified in a relevant engineering, scientific, or business discipline.

Nice To Haves

Experience in developing and leading global, multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Leadership and management of the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability Group, including workload balancing, ensuring correct skills mix, and planning project support.
Collaborate with wider Delivery teams to ensure overall project delivery to quality, budget, and timing, providing technical leadership when required.
Own and drive the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability strategy.
Strategic recruitment to grow the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability Group by hiring top industry engineers.
Talent management through mentoring, development, and identification of future talent, with plans for coaching and training to develop succession plans.
Develop and maintain an Engineering Partner supplier network for flexible, low-cost resources and specialist skills.
Understand technology trends and market needs, and work with Product & Technology teams to drive and guide the R&D agenda, growing Engineering Capability and delivering market-ready products, solutions, tools, and processes.
Improve and maintain core engineering tools and processes, aligned with Ricardo's strategy, focusing on continuous improvement and learning.
Drive and manage large project issue resolution.
Ensure team compliance with all policies and procedures related to quality, health and safety, security, IT, and information security.