So, we can reasonably assume a few things on why they would be posting a job of this type in the midst of a failed US launch.
1. CARB/EPA failed compliance or something was not completed OR the person in charge of this has left Lotus for greener pastures
2. The fact that the job is temporary / not permanent should be very telling. The Emira is the last ICE vehicle from Lotus, this is a dead end position and it will probably be irrelevant come the electric future in a few years.
3. Lotus UK is incompetent in certain aspects of running an automotive brand.
4. The Managing Directors job is to ensure the ship is steady - he should be removed or placed in a different position such has head of manufacturing. (even then the Emira has had a fair share of QC problems...) Great that they produce 40 cars a day, but are they well built?
5. Other Engineers within the Geely corporation have not applied or are not interested in this position. Perhaps they are better informed of the internal situation and that moving from Sweden to Hethel is probably not a good idea.
I can't think of many reason to have this position, unless they will be re-doing certifications for some future Emira variants. Which perhaps may be possible, but unlikely. Especially with Emira not having EPA/CARB certification yet....
This failure is extremely costly to Lotus. What is the price to pay for the loss of sales, negative customer perception of the brand, dealers left with no inventory to sell for years!... In one of the largest sports car markets.