*Internal Only* Research and Development Manager

Job Purpose

Lead and manage the Engineering function, take primary responsibility for team leadership, delivery, and alignment with business objectives.

The Head of Product development will operate at managerial level, driving team performance, supporting the Principal Engineer and cross functional planning to achieve business objectives.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Lead and manage the engineering team and tasks to balance the competing demands on the engineering team.

You will represent the Engineering team at management meetings and input to business strategy.

Lead and manage the Development Team

• Provide direction and feedback to the team to guide and continuously improve.
• Regular one to ones and feedback to support and develop the team.
• Define quarterly objectives and manage the team’s bonus scheme.
• Schedule the team’s work, balancing demands on the department’s time.
• Organise and manage the development teams resources (software and hardware contracts, equipment    maintenance, health and safety, adherence to ISO standards).
• Own the ‘Development’ ISO9001 process.

Development of New Instruments, Accessories and upgrades

To lead the development activities to deliver new products efficiently via the NPI process from Phase 3 to completion, aligned to the Principal Engineer’s development roadmap. Including:

• Project management
• Leading the post-concept prototype design to production of new systems and accessories
• Firmware, Software, Electronics, Mechanical design, and implementation
• Component selection
• Developing casework
• All certification completed including EMC and CE certification.
• Final test and verification
• Successful transfer from Development into Production
• Ongoing support of production

Sustaining engineering and in-service support 

Lead in-service design changes and 2nd level technical support.

• Proactively lead obsolescence risk-driven redesign to ensure no business interruption.
• Provide technical support for customers, and internal teams as required.
• Proactively lead the Vault system and SAP BOM to optimise production processes.
• Lead R&D testing process.

Engineering improvement and technical support 

• Lead and drive continuous improvement through improved design into existing products aligned and contributing to, the Principal Engineer’s development roadmap.
• To lead cost reduction design activities to improve product margins or competitive positioning.
• To lead the implementation of new software or hardware features into existing systems.
• Lead the CAD and drawing control systems and contracts.

Desirable knowledge, skills and experience 

• Enthusiasm and passion for Engineering leadership, project coordination and team management in a small and growing organisation.
• Experience Leading and Managing a team.
• High level of precision and attention to detail.
• Commitment to high levels of customer service.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to lead a team.
• Degree or higher in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
• Experience of mechanical/electrical equipment design in a manufacturing and/or mechanical/electromechanical engineering environment.
• Specialist knowledge and training in tribology/lubrication science.
• Detailed working knowledge of selected PCS products.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think outside current functionality and work with an open-ended brief.
• Technical fault finding and diagnostic skills.
• PC software skills.
• Good organisation and project management skills.
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly.

Practical requirements e.g. hours

Ability and willingness to travel occasionally (mainly outside the UK).  Hours of work are those required by the job and occasional evenings are necessary.