Chief Technology Officer

Job title: Chief Technology Officer

Location: Europe

Our client is an independent global automotive supplier specialising in innovative and energy-efficient powertrain technologies for conventional, hybrid, and electric vehicles. With a global engineering network across Europe and Asia, the business is continuing to expand its capabilities across hybrid and electric mobility solutions.

The Chief Technology Officer will report directly to the CEO and provide strategic leadership across all technology and engineering functions. This executive will be a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for shaping the long-term technology roadmap, driving innovation, and ensuring engineering excellence across global product development.

• Lead the full automotive product development cycle, from early concept and R&D through advanced engineering, product development, validation, launch, and post-SOP support.

• Provide leadership to a global engineering organisation across both direct-line and matrix structures.

• Define and execute the long-term technology strategy and roadmap, while ensuring short-term tactical objectives and annual commitments are delivered.

• Act as the technical visionary for the business, partnering with the CEO, senior leadership team, and wider organisation to bring innovative products to market.

• Drive continuous improvement across all areas of engineering, using internal and external benchmarking to move the function toward best-in-class performance.

• Establish, maintain, and manage engineering KPIs to support performance improvement and proactive technical decision-making.

• Build strong relationships with internal business groups, suppliers, and third-party technology partners.

• Represent the business at relevant industry events, trade shows, and technical forums.

• Lead, mentor, and develop senior technical leaders through performance management and leadership development processes.

• Manage the annual technology and engineering budget, ensuring objectives are delivered within financial and resource constraints.

• Collaborate across global teams to identify and leverage technologies that can support future vehicle applications.

• Minimum 15 years of broad-based automotive technology and engineering experience, with increasing levels of responsibility.

• Proven experience across the full technology lifecycle, from early concept through launch and serial production.

• Strong background in automotive is MUST have.

• Ability to define long-term technology strategy while remaining hands-on with tactical business needs.

• Proven leadership experience building and developing high-performing global technical teams.

• Strong ability to operate in a complex, international, matrixed organisation.

• Analytical and process-driven mindset, with experience using KPIs to improve engineering performance.

• Strong understanding of value creation and the ability to align technical strategy with wider business objectives.

• Hands-on experience with automotive technology and development processes such as FMEA, PPAP, and DVP&R.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and interpersonal skills.

• High-energy, proactive, ethical, and collaborative leadership style

• Multinational or global experience is strongly preferred.

• Ability to travel regionally and globally up to 30–40%.

At CLM, we specialise in executive search across manufacturing, energy, and technology. With decades of international experience building leadership teams, we’re committed to delivering a search experience that puts people first — for both our candidates and our clients.

Unfortunately, due to the high level of applications, we are not physically able to get back to every candidate who applies. Please follow our CLM page https://www.clmsearch.com/careers/ for regular job updates, and we hope to support you with your next venture.

• 15+ years of Motor Vehicle Manufacturing experience