Product Validation and Qualification Team Leader F/M in London

Company Alcatel Submarine Networks stands as an industry leader with over km of optical submarine systems globally. We cater to a wide range of needs: from traditional telecom applications and webscale service provider infrastructures to offshore oil and gas projects.

Purpose of the Job:

Role Overview: Provide both line management and technical leadership to the Product Validation and Qualification team within the PFE R&D department. This includes overseeing system-level validation, product qualification activities for Power Feeding Equipment (PFE) products, and delivering Level support for product continuation and manufacturing. This role is part of a structured succession plan for a senior member of the staff, requiring readiness to assume broader responsibilities in the future.

Context: The PFE R&D team is responsible for both new product development and sustaining existing products. The team works in close collaboration with the NPI (New Product Introduction) department to ensure a seamless transition from development to production and support, in alignment with the ASN PLC process.

About the Product: The Power Feeding Equipment (PFE) is a bespoke, mission-critical system designed to supply power to undersea communication cable systems. It converts low to medium voltage DC input into high-voltage DC output—up to kV at Amps—requiring exceptional reliability and long operational life. The PFE system also includes supporting products such as the Cable Monitoring Unit (CMU) and the Cable Terminating Rack (CTR).

Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership:

• Own and drive team KPIs aligned with organizational objectives and the Product Lifecycle (PLC) process.
• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, including software test engineer, validation/qualification engineers and a lab technician.
• Manage prioritization, resource allocation, and project planning based on team skills and product and department goals.
• Manage work packages or tasks of team, ensuring/controlling team members deliverables for the project.
• Full verification and validation of all configured functions, together with parameters and data produced on the project.
• Forecast and manage team OPEX, CAPEX budget, R&D Test lab.
• Handle team administration, including setting goals and conducting performance reviews.
• Ensure adherence to development standards and processes in line with QMS (ISO :) and HSE standards.
• Maintain robust documentation, configuration management, and provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders.
• Stakeholder management to provide overview of test strategy, progress, issues, risks and opportunities to stakeholders.
• Address and resolve team conflicts constructively.

• Define and lead the test and qualification strategy, ensuring alignment with system architecture and product requirements to meet ASN and product quality KPIs.
• Define needs, architecture and follow-up implementation of product testbenches and analysis tools.
• Facilitate technical discussions to drive product and cross-functional engineering improvements.
• Investigate complex technical issues in collaboration with both junior and senior engineers and other departments.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the team.

• Maintain a strong hands-on approach with the product, ensuring direct involvement in design, validation, and qualification activities.
• Review and approve technical decisions, ensuring design, development, and testing activities deliver high-quality, reliable products in line with the ASN PLC process.
• Stay current with technological advancements and drive innovation within the team.
• Bring ideas and lead initiatives to enhance product quality through process improvements, test automation, and adoption of proven technologies.
• Conduct and lead root cause analysis (RCA) for product quality issues.
• Oversee the creation and updates of product documentation, including installation and operations manuals, in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Deliver product training to internal teams such as PFE product trainers and customer service personnel.
• Analyse and report Defect Reporting Trend Over Time and dashboard from System requirements to System validation and lead action plan towards closure of defects.

Wanted profile:

Technical Expertise:

• Good knowledge of software, firmware, and electronics product design and development.
• Strong electrical and electronics analysis skills and good understanding of software/hardware integration.
• Good knowledge experience in product validation, testing, and compliance with certification standards such as high voltage safety, EMI/EMC regulations, temperature, humidity, vibrations etc.
• Experience working with external test/certification labs and internal stakeholders to achieve product compliance.
• Defect management tools.

Leadership Skills:

• Proven ability to lead and mentor individuals and teams, managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Skilled in coaching, performance management, and fostering a high-performance, collaborative culture.

People Management:

• Experienced in conducting one-on-ones, appraisals, and career planning.
• Adept at listening, providing constructive feedback, and supporting team development through training and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a culture of accountability and ownership by setting clear expectations, defining responsibilities, and ensuring follow-through on commitments.

Qualifications:

• Degree in electrical/electronic engineering.
• Extensive experience working in an engineering environment.
• Desirable experience with systems/sub-systems integration, embedded equipment, electromechanical product development in a highly complex and normative environment.
• Strong quality mindset with a consistent focus on compliance, reliability, and continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.
• Demonstrated hands-on leadership in managing teams for regulatory or mission-critical product validation and system qualification.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Proven experience in defining and implementing product verification and validation (V&V) engineering processes.
• Good knowledge of product qualification and certification processes within regulated environments.
• Good knowledge on end-to-end product development, covering electronics, embedded software, and product qualification/certification in accordance with EU standards.
• Familiarity with systems engineering concepts; practical experience is an advantage.
• Experience in designing software to meet security requirements is considered an advantage.
• Business Travel may be required.