Lead Homologation Engineer

Our client, based in Coventry, is searching for a Lead Homologation Engineer to join the company on a permanent basis.

Role summary:

The Lead Homologation Engineer is responsible for developing and executing vehicle homologation and regulatory compliance strategies for niche, low-volume vehicles. The role leads regulatory interpretation, certification planning, compliance assessment, and engagement with technical authorities to ensure vehicles can be legally marketed, registered, and sold in specific target markets around the world.

Working cross-functionally with Engineering, Vehicle Development, Quality, Manufacturing and Programme Management teams, the Lead Homologation Engineer provides expert guidance on regulatory requirements throughout the vehicle development lifecycle and acts as the primary technical authority for homologation activities.

Key responsibilities:

Regulatory Strategy and Compliance:

• Develop and maintain vehicle homologation strategies for specific global markets.
• Interpret and communicate regulatory requirements to engineering and programme teams.
• Assess vehicle designs against applicable legislation and identify compliance gaps.
• Provide early-stage guidance during the concept phase to ensure regulatory requirements are adhered.
• Monitor changes to global automotive legislation and assess programme impacts.
• Support business decisions relating to market access, certification pathways, and regulatory risk.

Programme Leadership:

• Lead homologation activities across multiple vehicle programmes.
• Develop certification plans, schedules and deliverables aligned with programme milestones.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of compliance activities.
• Manage homologation risks and develop mitigation plans.

Certification & Approval Activities:

• Prepare certification documentation and technical compliance evidence.
• Work with Test and Development engineers to ensure homologation test requirements and approval activities are scheduled.
• Consult with local homologation consultants, regulatory authorities, approval agencies and certification bodies.
• Support vehicle inspections, audit activities and regulatory reviews.
• Maintain homologation records and approval documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with:

• Electrical Engineering.
• Body and Closures Engineering.
• Powertrain Engineering.
• Manufacturing.
• Quality.
• Purchasing.
• Programme Management.
• Legal teams.

Support resolution of compliance-related issues throughout development and production of vehicles.

Essential Skills & Competencies Required:

• Strong understanding of automotive regulatory and homologation processes around low volume niche vehicles.
• Ability to interpret complex legislative and technical requirements and cascade them into clear project targets.
• Experience managing certification programmes from concept through production.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong project planning and organisational capability.
• Ability to influence engineering decisions through regulatory expertise.
• Effective problem-solving and risk management skills.

Essential Experience & Qualifications Required:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within automotive homologation, certification, or regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience leading homologation activities for vehicle programmes.
• Strong understanding of vehicle systems and engineering development processes.

Desirable Regulatory Experience Requested:

Demonstrable experience working with one or more of the following approval routes and regulatory frameworks:

• U.S. SPMV (Specially Produced Motor Vehicles) and associated Replica Car Law requirements.
• U.S. Show and Display Law
• UK/EU Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).
• GB National Small Series Type Approval.
• European Union Small Series Type Approval (including EU7 considerations).
• Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance and certification.

Additional experience with other North American, European, Middle Eastern, or Asia-Pacific vehicle approval processes would be advantageous.

Desirable Experience & Qualifications Requested:

• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional registration.
• Experience with low-volume, specialty, performance, luxury, or niche vehicle manufacturers.
• Knowledge of functional safety, cybersecurity, emissions, or environmental regulations.

Leadership Expectations Requested:

• Act as the subject matter expert for vehicle homologation and regulatory compliance.
• Promote a proactive compliance culture throughout the organisation.
• Drive continuous improvement within homologation processes and regulatory governance.
• Represent the company in discussions with authorities, industry bodies, and technical partners.