Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead vehicle development projects, ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory standards.
- Company: Join a fast-growing automotive export business transforming the industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, company car, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Dynamic role with global collaboration and exciting growth potential.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of automotive innovation and make a real impact in the sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in automotive R&D and familiarity with regulatory approval processes.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.
You will be joining one of the fastest growing automotive export businesses in the world at a key moment in the transformation of the sector. This is a very exciting role in which you will work for this passenger car business which has experienced stunning growth in the last 2 years.
This role plays a central role in ensuring that vehicles developed for the UK and European markets meet technical, regulatory, and customer requirements. The role leads programme coordination for assigned car-lines, managing prototype builds, engineering change control, and homologation readiness. This role is a bridge between UK R&D and headquarters engineering teams overseas, ensuring effective global collaboration.
- Manage prototype build activities including specification control and configuration management.
- Coordinate vehicle development programmes from prototype through to production readiness.
- First point of contact between UK R&D, After Sales, Product Planning and headquarters engineering teams.
- Coordinate engineering change requests (ECRs), software updates and validation activities.
- Support UK and EU vehicle homologation programmes and coordinate with regulatory bodies such as VCA and DVSA.
- Work closely with the After Sales team to integrate field feedback, service insights and quality improvements.
- Track programme milestones, risks and deliverables across engineering, validation and product teams.
- Support the transition from development vehicles to certified production models.
Experience in OEM vehicle development or automotive R&D is required, along with experience working with UK or EU regulatory approval bodies. Proficiency in MS Project, Excel and PowerPoint is also necessary. Fluent Mandarin is ideally preferred.
Research & Development (R&D) Project Manager in Bedford employer: ABL Recruitment
Contact Detail:
ABL Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research & Development (R&D) Project Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want you to show genuine interest in their work, especially in the automotive sector. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We suggest focusing on common R&D project management scenarios to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Research & Development (R&D) Project Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Vehicle R&D Project Manager role. Highlight your experience in automotive R&D and any relevant project management skills. We want to see how your background aligns with the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with UK or EU regulatory bodies, as that’s a big plus for us.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves managing prototype builds and engineering change control, make sure to showcase your technical skills. Mention your proficiency in MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint, as these tools are essential for the job.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at ABL Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in automotive R&D, especially regarding UK and EU regulations. Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for vehicle homologation and how they impact prototype builds. This will show your potential employer that you're not just interested in the role but also knowledgeable about the industry.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with managing complex projects, particularly in automotive R&D. Use examples that highlight your ability to coordinate between teams, manage timelines, and handle engineering change requests. This is crucial for a role that requires bridging UK R&D with overseas engineering teams.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into technical aspects of vehicle development and prototype management. Brush up on your knowledge of specification control and configuration management. Being able to articulate your understanding of these processes will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Language Skills Matter
If you’re fluent in Mandarin, don’t forget to mention it! Highlight how your language skills can facilitate communication with headquarters and enhance collaboration. If you have any experience working in bilingual environments, share those stories to demonstrate your adaptability.