📍 Dartford
💰 £74,000 per annum
This is a fantastic opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the performance and reliability of our fleet and the services we deliver. At Arriva, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You’ll be part of a supportive environment where your expertise and leadership will have a tangible impact on daily operations and long-term success.
If you’re passionate about engineering excellence, developing high-performing teams, and driving operational performance within the transport sector, we want to hear from you.
As Engineering Manager, you will take full ownership of fleet maintenance operations, ensuring vehicles are safe, reliable, and fully compliant with all regulatory standards. This is a senior leadership role where you will drive engineering performance, lead a diverse team, and contribute to strategic improvements across the business.
Your work will directly influence service delivery, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Engineering Operations
Lead engineering performance to meet and exceed service delivery targets
Ensure fleet reliability, safety, and full regulatory compliance
Oversee maintenance strategies to maximise vehicle availability
Leadership & People Management
Lead, inspire, and develop a multidisciplinary team including engineers, team leaders, apprentices, and support staff
Manage workforce planning, shift allocation, and performance management
Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous development
Financial Management
Manage engineering budgets, forecasting, and P&L performance
Control garage costs and minimise lost mileage
Support delivery of business-critical projects
Health, Safety & Compliance
Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and O-Licence requirements
Lead audits and maintain robust safety practices
Promote a strong safety-first culture across all teams
Continuous Improvement
Drive lean initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste
Analyse performance data, identify trends, and implement improvement plans
Enhance workshop productivity and operational processes
Customer & Operational Focus
Ensure vehicle availability meets peak service demands
Investigate breakdown trends and implement corrective actions
Maintain high standards that exceed statutory requirements
Reporting & Governance
Deliver accurate and timely reporting on KPIs, fleet performance, and engineering activity
Provide insights to support operational and strategic decision-making
Recruitment & Development
Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training initiatives
Develop talent pipelines and succession planning
Foster a high-performing, continuously improving team
We’re looking for a confident and driven leader with a strong engineering background and a passion for operational excellence.
You will bring:
Proven experience in engineering leadership, ideally within the bus or HGV sector
Strong people management and team development skills
Solid financial and commercial awareness, including budget management
In-depth knowledge of health, safety, and regulatory compliance
Excellent communication and organisational abilities
A proactive, solution-focused mindset with a track record of driving improvement
You thrive in a fast-paced, operational environment and enjoy leading teams to deliver outstanding results. You’re someone who takes ownership, builds strong relationships, and continuously looks for ways to improve performance and efficiency.