Head of Control & Electronics Engineering

Ricardo•Belleville, 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 span engines, transmissions, hybrid & electric vehicles, power electronics, batteries, 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. This role requires strong team management and client engagement, focusing on delivering value propositions through technical solutions and successful project execution. The position involves defining and executing the Control & Electronics Engineering strategy, recruiting and developing talent, and enhancing capabilities through new tools, processes, and skillsets. Close collaboration with other Engineering Capability groups, Test and Project Management functions, and Product & Technology teams is essential. A strong technical background in control, electronics, electrical, embedded software, or systems engineering is required.

Requirements

Strong leadership skills and experience managing technical teams to deliver client projects.
A passion for technology, engineering, and delivering solutions to customers; technically literate and keen to learn and teach new technologies.
A 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 to enable 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 take teams on the journey, including the development and leadership of global, multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent communication and leadership qualities, 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 organisational structures.
Strategic and agile thinker with a strong ability to identify opportunities, initiate improvements, and respond effectively to change.
Thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and focus.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining quality and delivery.
Flexible in work approach and prepared 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.

Responsibilities

Leadership and management of the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability Group, including balancing workload, ensuring correct skills mix, and planning project support.
Work with wider Delivery teams to ensure overall project delivery to quality, budget, and timing, providing technical leadership and ensuring successful delivery to achieve financial business performance.
Owning and driving the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability strategy.
Strategic recruitment to grow the Control & Electronics Engineering Capability Group by recruiting the best engineers in the industry.
Talent management of the team through mentoring, development, identifying future talent, and implementing coaching and training plans for succession.
Development and maintenance of an Engineering Partner supplier network for flexible, low-cost resources and specialist skills.
Understanding technology trends and market needs, and working with Product & Technology teams to drive and guide the R&D agenda, grow Engineering Capability skills, and deliver 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 a continuous learning culture.
Drive and manage large project issue resolution.
Ensure team compliance with all policies and procedures relating to quality, health and safety, security, IT, and information security.