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- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to deliver innovative products on time and ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Company: A leading international technology manufacturer based in County Durham.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for cross-site teamwork and external partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving product excellence and leading talented teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership and product development in electronics or instrumentation sectors.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ per year.
My client is a leading international technology manufacturer headquartered in County Durham and is looking for a people‑driven Head of R&D to lead best‑in‑class NPD delivery. This is a highly hands‑on role, focused on execution, product lifecycle excellence and compliance - not strategic R&D oversight or architectural ownership.
Reporting to the Global Head of R&D, the Head of R&D will drive high‑quality, on‑time product development and sustaining engineering across the business unit portfolio, with full accountability for product compliance to all relevant standards and regulations.
Leading UK‑based engineering and product compliance teams, the role works closely with European R&D leadership to align priorities, accelerate execution, and deliver consistently strong performance across sites.
Main Responsibilities
- Engineering Delivery & Execution
- Own delivery of UK-based engineering projects (scope, timeline, quality)
- Drive predictable execution through structured planning, tracking, and accountability
- Align engineering capacity with project priorities and business needs
- Establish and manage delivery KPIs (cycle time, on‑time delivery, throughput)
- Product Lifecycle & Sustaining Engineering
- Own engineering support for the existing product portfolio, including:
- Obsolescence‑driven redesigns
- Cost optimisation and component changes
- Regulatory and standards‑driven updates
- Ensure continuity of supply and product competitiveness
- Balance new product development and sustaining engineering activities
- Product Compliance Leadership
- Lead the Product Compliance team within R&D
- Ensure all products meet relevant regulatory, safety, and certification requirements
- Maintain alignment with applicable standards (e.g. IEC, ISO, regional compliance requirements)
- Work closely with engineering teams to embed compliance early in development
- Support certification, audits, and regulatory approvals
- Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead and develop UK‑based engineering and compliance teams
- Build a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
- Strengthen technical and delivery leadership within the team
- Ensure effective resource utilisation and capability development
- Cross‑Site Collaboration
- Work closely with European‑based R&D leadership and engineering teams to ensure aligned priorities and coordinated execution
- Support a unified development model across UK and Europe
- Contribute to a cohesive, high‑performing engineering organisation across locations
- External Development Integration
- Integrate external development partners to increase engineering capacity and speed
- Define clear scopes, interfaces, and deliverables
- Ensure quality and timely delivery from external partners
- Process & Performance Improvement
- Improve engineering efficiency, reducing development cycle time and rework
- Implement pragmatic, scalable development processes (Agile / hybrid)
- Ensure clear visibility of delivery performance, risks, and dependencies
- Proactively remove technical and organisational blockers
About You
To be considered for the role, it is essential that you possess demonstrable experience and strength in the leading of engineering teams and NPD, in the electronics, testing & measurement, safety or instrumentation product sectors. You will also be degree qualified in an appropriate discipline.
Key Selection Criteria
- Familiarity with platform-based product architectures
- Strong track record of delivering complex engineering projects on time and to quality targets
- Experience in multidisciplinary engineering (hardware, embedded software, systems)
- Experience managing product compliance, certification, or regulatory activities
- Experience working across multiple locations or distributed teams
- Experience working with external development partners or outsourced engineering models
- Strong execution focus with ability to deliver results through teams
- Structured, data-driven approach to problem solving
- Ability to manage complexity and competing priorities
- Clear and effective communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Pragmatic, delivery-oriented mindset with high accountability
- Collaborative leadership style with ability to influence across locations
Contact Detail:
Catalyst Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of R&D in Bath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Head of R&D role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s products and their compliance standards. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role but that you’re genuinely excited about what they do. Bring your A-game with examples of how you've led engineering teams to success!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We’ve got all the resources you need to make your application stand out, so take advantage of it and let’s get you that Head of R&D position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of R&D in Bath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of R&D role. Highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and delivering complex projects, especially in electronics or instrumentation. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on role. Share specific examples of your past successes in product lifecycle management and compliance to grab our attention.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We’re looking for a collaborative leader! In your application, emphasise your ability to build strong teams and foster a culture of accountability. Share stories that demonstrate your leadership style and how you’ve influenced teams across locations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Catalyst
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of product lifecycle management and compliance standards relevant to the role. Brush up on your knowledge of IEC, ISO, and any regional regulations that might come into play. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the nitty-gritty of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and driving project delivery. Think about times when you’ve built a culture of accountability or improved team performance. Be ready to discuss how you can strengthen technical leadership within the team.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Site Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with European R&D leadership, be prepared to talk about your experience in managing distributed teams. Share specific instances where you’ve successfully aligned priorities across different locations and how you’ve integrated external partners into your projects.
✨Be Data-Driven
Highlight your structured approach to problem-solving and how you use data to drive decisions. Discuss any KPIs you’ve established in previous roles and how you’ve used them to improve engineering efficiency. This will resonate well with their focus on predictable execution and performance improvement.