Engineering Manager - Project Engineering

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About Us

We are Ocado Technology and we empower global grocery retailers with cutting-edge cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. Our Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) powers highly automated Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs), enabling efficient, single-pick online grocery delivery

About the Role

The Project Engineering team provides technical leadership within project delivery teams, responsible for planning, coordinating, and governing engineering activities from concept handover (from Commercial to Delivery) through execution and client handover, ensuring compliance with requirements, quality standards, and timelines.

Project Engineering at Ocado focuses on the technical definition, scope validation, and delivery preparation of Ocado-developed and third-party products into a coherent, buildable, and commissionable system, rather than bespoke design from first principles.

The Engineering Manager for Project Engineering is accountable for leading and developing a high-performing Project Engineering function that enables predictable, scalable delivery across Ocado’s project portfolio. This includes establishing clear ways of working, strengthening technical capability, and ensuring consistent, high-quality engineering outputs that support successful project delivery.

Success in this role is defined by predictable, measurable, high-quality engineering delivery with clear ownership, reduced rework, and scalable ways of working across the portfolio.

Role Interfaces

The Project Engineering Team will typically work with:

• Project Management functions
• Adjacent Technical Delivery teams (BIM, Deployment Engineering, Testing, IT Infrastructure)
• Pre-Deal and Cost Estimation teams
• Procurement, supply chain and commercial teams
• External 3rd Party Suppliers and OEMs
• Ocado Clients

Role Location

The role is based in Trident place with a hybrid working arrangement

UK/International business travel may be required (location of travel dependent on the project/partner the team are working with).

Core Responsibilities

Stable accountabilities – expected regardless of evolving strategic priorities

Lead and Develop the Project Engineering Team (People)

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and performance management for Project Engineers
• Build team capability through a clear competency framework, training pathways, and targeted development plans
• Create an environment of accountability, clarity and continuous improvement
• Ensure resourcing plans and project allocations match portfolio demand and skill requirements

Governance and Delivery Assurance (Execution)

• Monitor and manage risks, workload, and delivery health across the Project Engineering portfolio, in partnership with the broader delivery management team
• Drive prioritisation decisions across the portfolio, balancing standard work with project-specific needs
• Awareness of commercial drivers and the ability to balance technical decisions with cost, schedule, and delivery constraints
• Identify and resolve systemic issues impacting delivery (process, product, interfaces, documentation)

Build System Thinking Capability Across the Team (Capability)

• Develop and embed product system overviews, interface definitions, and design checklists
• Enable consistent and correct application of Ocado products across differing project contexts
• Drive adoption of standard tools, frameworks, and engineering methods to improve delivery quality and speed

Define and Maintain Clear Role Boundaries Across Delivery and Adjacent Functions (Structure and Process)

• Maintain a clear RACI across Delivery functions (PM, BIM, Deployment, IT, Testing, PMO) and adjacent teams (e.g. Supply Chain)
• Eliminate ambiguity and reduce “gap-filling” behaviour across projects
• Standardise ways of working across differing project profiles (CFC, retrofit, decommissioning)

Build and Maintain Strong Stakeholder Relationships (Influence)

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships across Delivery, Product Development, Procurement, and client teams
• Act as a trusted technical partner, ensuring alignment on priorities, expectations, and delivery outcomes
• Influence decision-making across functions to drive clarity, resolve issues, and maintain delivery momentum
• Promote collaboration and shared ownership across organisational boundaries

Strategic Priorities

Examples of immediate priorities to improve delivery performance, expected to evolve over time

These priorities represent the current focus areas for improving Project Engineering performance. The Engineering Manager is expected to deliver against these initially, while continuously identifying and driving further improvements based on project learnings and organisational needs.

Strengthen User Requirements and Compliance

• Ensure requirements are clear, testable, and traceable across the delivery lifecycle
• Improve governance of the User Requirement process (including Parent/Child UR structure)
• Define and implement practical compliance tracking aligned to delivery and chamber handover processes

Outcome: Reduced rework, improved design clarity, and fewer late-stage issues driven by requirement gaps

Improve Interface & Scope Demarcation

• Implement standard interface registers and scope demarcation across Ocado, client, and third parties
• Ensure clear ownership and definition of system interfaces
• Identify and mitigate interface risks early in the project lifecycle

Outcome: Fewer integration issues, improved coordination, and reduced delivery risk at install and commissioning

Optimise 3rd Party Integration and Procurement Interface

• Standardise technical input into tendering processes and supplier evaluation
• Ensure clarity and consistency of roles and responsibilities between Project Engineering, Procurement, and 3rd Party SMEs
• Improve quality, completeness, and integration of supplier deliverables

Outcome: More agile, efficient procurement cycles, improved supplier performance, and reduced technical gaps in delivery

Standardise Installation & Commissioning Readiness

• Re-establish and implement a consistent Project Engineering to Deployment Engineering handover model
• Ensure designs are buildable, clearly defined, and ready for site execution
• Support clear issue attribution during delivery (definition vs install vs product behaviour)

Outcome: Improved site readiness, faster commissioning, and clearer resolution of technical issues

About you

• Degree in Engineering or equivalent experience (Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, or related discipline)
• Demonstrable experience delivering large, complex automation or systems integration projects from design through to installation and commissioning
• Strong understanding of multi-disciplinary engineering integration, including mechanical, electrical, controls, and IT/data infrastructure within industrial or automated environments
• Experience working with architectural and consultant-led design teams, translating system requirements into building and infrastructure requirements
• Experience leading or supporting the development of engineering teams, including coaching, mentoring, or informal leadership responsibilities
• Experience defining and implementing engineering processes, standards, or governance frameworks (e.g. requirements management, interface management, design reviews, technical assurance)
• Experience managing third-party suppliers, contractors, or system integrators, including involvement in technical procurement, tendering, and supplier deliverables
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across Delivery, Product Development, Procurement, and client environments
• Broad understanding of automation technologies used in warehouse/logistics environments (e.g. ASRS, robotics, conveyors, pick/pack systems)
• Experience working in design & construct or EPC-style delivery environments, with exposure to construction, installation, and commissioning phases
• Experience operating in environments with high ambiguity and evolving scope, with the ability to introduce structure, clarity, and standardisation
• Project Management qualification (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2) or equivalent experience (desirable, not essential)

What we offer

We believe in supporting our people with meaningful, flexible benefits that prioritise well-being and work-life balance. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect:

• Time to recharge:

25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after 5 years), plus the option to buy more – and 30 days a year to work from anywhere in the world.

• Health & wellbeing:

Private Medical Insurance from your first month, wellbeing support through specialist apps and EAP, plus Income Protection and Life Assurance.

• Family-first policies:

22 weeks paid maternity/primary carer leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (after qualifying period).

• Financial support:

Pension with employer matching up to 7%, share schemes (Sharesave & BAYE), and interest-free loans for train tickets.

• Commuter perks:

Cycle to Work Scheme and free shuttle buses to/from Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City stations.

• Exclusive discounts:

15% off at Ocado.com with free delivery (starting in your first month).

Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status.