Chief Project Engineer – Trent XWB-97 CI

This review provides an in-depth look at the Chief Project Engineer – Trent XWB-97 CI role at Rolls-Royce, designed to help prospective candidates understand the opportunity and how it aligns with their career aspirations.

Chief Project Engineer – Trent XWB-97 CI: An Opportunity for Impact

Rolls-Royce is seeking a Chief Project Engineer to play a pivotal role in the Trent XWB-97 CI program. This full-time, hybrid position based in Derby offers a compelling opportunity for experienced engineers to contribute to the development and delivery of cutting-edge aerospace technology. This role demands a blend of technical expertise, robust project management skills, and exceptional leadership.

Key Responsibilities and What to Expect:

As a Chief Project Engineer, your responsibilities will be diverse and impactful, spanning the entire product lifecycle. You will be instrumental in:

• Defining and Maintaining Product Requirements: Collaborating closely with customers, including airframers, and internal business stakeholders to ensure product requirements are clearly defined, evolving, and consistently met throughout the program.
• Technical Program Management: Developing and executing a comprehensive technical program of works to guarantee product compliance with all requirements and seamless integration with other program elements. This includes managing the Work Breakdown Structure across supply chain, program management, and Risk Revenue Sharing Partners.
• Optimized Solution Delivery: Leading the management and delivery of the optimized technical solution that satisfies all technical, business, and schedule requirements.
• Change Management Leadership: Orchestrating the change management process within engineering, ensuring that changes are effectively managed and incorporated.
• Product Safety Assurance: Assisting the Chief Engineer in assuring and managing product safety through compliant use of established processes and driving closure strategies.
• Governance and Target Achievement: Establishing and maintaining the overall governance structure on behalf of the Chief Engineer to ensure quality, schedule, and cost targets are met.
• Risk Management and Continuous Improvement: Implementing effective Risk Management and Project Gated Review Processes, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
• System Engineering and Thinking: Championing System Engineering principles and systems thinking within the engineering team.
• Leadership and Representation: Providing programme and technical leadership and support to the Work Package team, and representing the Chief Engineer as required.

Advantages for Career Growth:

This role presents significant advantages for ambitious engineering professionals:

• High-Impact Technology: You will be working with pioneering technologies that are vital to the planet's power needs, contributing to a leading edge in the aerospace industry.
• Comprehensive Project Lifecycle Experience: The role offers exposure to all stages of a project lifecycle, providing invaluable experience in managing complex initiatives from inception to completion.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will have the opportunity to collaborate with a wide array of stakeholders, including customers, supply chain partners, and internal business functions, fostering broad understanding and strong relationships.
• Leadership Development: This position is an excellent platform for developing and honing leadership skills, particularly in managing multi-functional teams and influencing senior management.
• Commitment to Learning and Development: Rolls-Royce is dedicated to investing in your continuous learning and development, offering a breadth and depth of opportunities to advance your career.
• Hybrid Working Flexibility: The hybrid working model offers a balanced approach to work, allowing for a blend of office-based collaboration and remote flexibility, managed at a local level to suit business needs and individual roles.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

To thrive in this role, candidates should consider the following:

• Proven Project Management Expertise: A strong track record in managing projects and programmes of increasing complexity is essential. Experience across all project lifecycle stages is highly valued.
• Technical Foundation: A degree or equivalent industry experience is required, coupled with an understanding of engineering principles and the ability to lead technically.
• Professional Qualifications: Membership in a professional body and progress towards or attainment of a Registered Project Professional (RPP) qualification or equivalent demonstrates a commitment to professional standards.
• Broader Project Management Exposure: Experience in non-core project management roles such as purchasing, commercial, or engineering management will be beneficial, providing a holistic view of project delivery.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills are crucial for effective communication with senior management and diverse teams.
• Alignment with Rolls-Royce Behaviors: A commitment to safety first, doing the right thing, keeping it simple, and making a difference are fundamental qualities that form part of the assessment process.

The Chief Project Engineer – Trent XWB-97 CI role at Rolls-Royce is an exciting prospect for seasoned professionals looking to make a significant impact within a leading global organization. It offers a dynamic environment for technical and leadership growth, underpinned by a culture that values its people and their development.