Deputy Head of Clinical Engineering

University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Southampton
1 month ago
Applications closed
Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.


We offer a 12‑month secondment for an experienced and motivated individual to join our Clinical Engineering team as Deputy Head of Clinical Engineering. This senior leadership role provides operational oversight of medical device services across the Trust and deputises for the Head of Clinical Engineering during planned absences.


You will lead multiple technical service teams and the business & administration function, ensuring safe, effective and efficient delivery of medical device management in line with Trust policies, ISO 9001 standards, and MHRA guidance. The role includes responsibility for governance, risk and quality systems, as well as implementing medical device connectivity and cybersecurity initiatives in collaboration with Digital/IT and Information Governance teams.


We are one of England’s largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities. Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.


Main Responsibilities

  • Provide day‑to‑day senior oversight of planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and corrective maintenance across technical teams and external contracts.
  • Line‑manage section manager leads (Band 7), overseeing recruitment, appraisals and workforce development.
  • Monitor service KPIs (PPM compliance, response times, backlog) and agree remedial actions.
  • Implement ISO 9001 QMS processes, including internal audits, document control and CAPA tracking.
  • Lead incident investigations and root‑cause analysis within reporting lines.
  • Manage delegated budgets and act as authorised signatory within agreed limits.
  • Coordinate medical device connectivity and cybersecurity workstreams.
  • Represent Clinical Engineering at meetings, projects and committees.
  • Support capital planning and equipment replacement programmes.
  • Drive continuous improvement and cost‑efficiency initiatives.

Essential Requirements

  • Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Engineering, Physical Sciences or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Substantial post‑qualification experience at Band 7 level or above in Clinical Engineering within an acute healthcare setting.
  • Proven experience managing medical equipment service contracts and budgets.
  • Knowledge and practical experience of ISO 9001 systems, medical device connectivity and cybersecurity.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people‑management skills.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills with multidisciplinary teams.

Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential Criteria

  • Honours degree (minimum 2:1) in Engineering, Physical Sciences or equivalent relevant experience.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Substantial post‑qualification experience at Band 7 level or above in Clinical Engineering within an acute healthcare setting.
  • Proven experience managing medical equipment service contracts.
  • Experience with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 systems.
  • Knowledge and practical experience of medical device connectivity and cybersecurity.
  • Experience of managing trainees up to Scientist Training Programme level.
  • Demonstrated leadership and people‑management skills, including performance management.
  • Experience in risk management and incident investigation within medical device governance.
  • Experience of managing budgets and resources effectively.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria

  • MSc or higher in a relevant field.
  • HCPC Clinical Scientist or RCT registration; IPEM membership; Chartered Engineer/Scientist status.
  • Experience contributing to capital planning and business case development.

Please refer to the person specification when completing your application and include clear examples demonstrating how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria. We look forward to hearing from you!


Seniority level

Executive


Employment type

Full-time


Job function

Engineering and Information Technology


Industries

Hospitals and Health Care


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Medical Technology Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Medical Technology Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in medical technology, it can feel like the toolkit is endlessly long: imaging systems, data analysis software, regulatory platforms, testing frameworks, prototyping tools, CAD, quality management systems, signal processing libraries and more. Scroll job boards or LinkedIn, and it’s easy to think you need to know every tool under the sun just to secure an interview. Here’s the honest truth most hiring managers won’t explicitly tell you: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you understand the underlying principles and can apply the right tool in the right context to solve real problems. Tools matter — absolutely — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, clinical awareness, engineering rigour and the ability to deliver safe, reliable solutions. So how many medical technology tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the answer is far fewer than you think. This article explains what employers really want, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look confident, competent and end-game ready.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Medical Technology Job Applications (UK Guide)

Medical technology (MedTech) is one of the most dynamic and high-impact sectors in the UK — spanning medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, AI-assisted systems, wearables, imaging, robotics and clinical software. At the same time, hiring managers are exceptionally selective because MedTech roles demand technical excellence, regulated safety awareness, clinical context and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, engineering, quality & regulatory, clinical validation, product management or software development for medical systems, hiring managers don’t read every word of your CV. They scan it quickly — often deciding within the first 10–20 seconds whether to continue reading. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers look for first in medical technology applications — and how you can make your CV, portfolio and cover letter stand out in the UK market.

The Skills Gap in Medical Technology Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Medical technology — also known as medtech — is transforming healthcare. Innovations in diagnostics, imaging, wearable sensors, robotics, telehealth, digital therapeutics and advanced prosthetics are improving outcomes and saving lives. As the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) modernises and a thriving life sciences sector expands, demand for medtech professionals is growing rapidly. Yet employers across the UK consistently report a frustrating problem: many graduates are not ready for real medtech jobs. Despite strong academic credentials, candidates often lack the practical, interdisciplinary skills needed to contribute effectively from day one. This is not a question of effort or intelligence. It is a widening skills gap between university education and the applied demands of medical technology roles. This article explores that gap in depth — what universities are teaching well, where programmes fall short, why the gap persists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build thriving careers in medical technology.