Head of Engineering & Estates
First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026.
Job Title: Head of Engineering & Estates
Location: Portsmouth
The Head of Engineering & Estates is responsible for leadership, maintenance and is the overall technical authority of the Company’s fleet of vessels and infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient operations to Wightlink’s customers.
What you'll be doing
- Provide strategic advice and plans to Directors and Managers on significant maintenance and repair risks impacting business operations
- Create, manage and control the Engineering budget
- Plan, organise, and manage repair work, including refits and overhauls, ensuring safe execution by designated teams
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Safety, Head of Fleet Operations and Director of Port Operations to ensure all maintenance activities are conducted safely, efficiently and within budget
- Oversee contractor performance and manage service agreements to ensure quality and value
- Comprehensive management of Engineering team, setting clear objectives, providing mentoring and training, to build a culture of accountability, transparency and proactivity
- Ensure all ship and shore safety equipment meets regulatory compliance, with particular focus on critical and essential systems
- Promote and embed a strong safety culture, emphasising behavioural safety and visible leadership, while ensuring full compliance with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements in all maintenance activities.
What we're looking for
- A Chartered Engineer qualified to Degree level in an engineering discipline
- IOSH or NEBOSH qualified
- Project management, PRINCE2 or similar, preferrable
- Comprehensive experience of team management from recruitment and selection, performance reviews, absence management and development plans
- Experience with maintenance management systems e.g. MAXIMO or similar
- Strong knowledge of safety, health, and environmental regulations
- Commercial acumen with experience of creating and managing large budgets and reporting
Who we are
We are Wightlink. We are Captains, Baristas, Accountants, Engineers, Cleaners, Port Operators Technicians and many more
We’ve been carrying people across the Solent for over 160 years and things have changed a lot in that time. Bigger ferries, more passengers, quicker crossing times - but some things remain the same; not least our dedication to providing the best service possible and our passion for the Isle of Wight.
Our mission is to be the easiest way to cross the Solent with outstanding customer service and we’re always looking for outstanding people who can help us deliver on it. We’re an equal opportunities employer with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re backed by some of the world’s leading investors.
We take our commitment to the environment seriously and you can play a part in helping us achieve our goals. We already operate England’s first hybrid energy ship, Victoria of Wight, and have implemented a wide range of initiatives to protect the sea, land and air that surround us. With big plans for the future, it’s a great time to join us – we’ve pledged to further reduce our carbon emissions significantly over the next decade.
We’re often asked why it’s so great to work at Wightlink. Perhaps it’s because we offer:
- A competitive salary
- 33 days pro-rata annual leave
- Clear and supported career progression
- A generous pension scheme
- Concessionary ferry travel for you and your family
- Discount on food & drink as well as exclusive discounts at a range of Island and Mainland businesses
- Free parking
- A chance to make a difference to the communities that depend on our lifeline service