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- Tasks: Lead innovative product development from concept to market, tackling engineering challenges.
- Company: Join Clark Door, a leader in advanced door systems committed to engineering excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days of annual leave, flexible options, and generous family-friendly policies.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team that transforms industries with cutting-edge solutions and a culture of collaboration.
- Qualifications: BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering required; experience in R&D and project management preferred.
- Other info: This role may require occasional travel and offers a salary up to £70,000 based on experience.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 98000 £ per year.
At Clark Door, our mission is to drive engineering excellence and innovation, pushing the boundaries of what advanced door systems can achieve. In 2018, our commitment to innovation saw the evolution of our R&D function into a full-time department, enabling us to deliver award-winning advancements that set new benchmarks for fire-rated, acoustic, security, and industrial doors.
We are searching for a talented R&D Technical Lead/Product Manager to join our team and help take our innovation to the next level. In this role, you will tackle complex engineering challenges, ensure compliance with global standards, and lead the development of world-class solutions that transform industries and enhance prestigious projects worldwide.
With continued investment in R&D and a dedicated testing facility, this is an exciting opportunity to lead pioneering product development in a business that thrives on technical excellence.
If you are an experienced engineer with a passion for innovation and delivering industry-leading solutions, we want to hear from you.
JOB PURPOSE
The R&D Technical Lead / Product Manager will lead the company’s Research and Development function, driving innovation and overseeing the full lifecycle of product development. This includes concept generation, prototyping, compliance testing, certification, and successful market launch. The role will play a pivotal part in developing and executing forward-looking R&D strategies to maintain the company’s competitive edge while ensuring rigorous quality and compliance standards. Additionally, the role involves managing multidisciplinary teams to foster a culture of innovation and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring alignment between R&D outputs and business objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Research and Development
- Lead and manage the development of new products from initial concept to market readiness.
- Drive innovation by exploring emerging technologies, materials, and methods to create cutting-edge products.
- Assist the sales and marketing team with technical benchmarking processes.
- Develop and implement a forward-thinking R&D strategy to support the company’s long-term growth and competitiveness.
- Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation to ensure successful product launches.
- Testing and Compliance
- Design and execute the company’s local and international testing strategy with independent test centres based in the UK and internationally, including in-house prototyping and third-party certification.
- Manage all internal and external fire, acoustic, security, and compliance testing, while maintaining a robust database of historic test data.
- Maintain and control master technical files, job-specific technical files, UKCA/CE documentation, compliance auditing records, and a comprehensive library of controlled information.
- Ensure all products comply with relevant legislation and regulatory standards for areas including North America, Middle East, Europe and UK (CE and UKCA certification requirements).
- Quality Assurance
- Collect feedback on existing product performance strengths and opportunities for improvements to feed into the Quality improvement process for the business.
- Support the team’s quality improvement drive, conducting root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for product defects or non-conformities.
- Collaborate with project engineering and manufacturing teams to take tested prototypes into productionised products – with consistent product quality, adherence to design specifications and cost objectives.
- Use existing designs where appropriate by developing good relationships throughout the engineering team.
- Collaboration and Support
- Foster a culture of innovation and teamwork, mentoring and coordinating cross-functional teams including engineers, technicians, and compliance experts.
- Support Sales & Marketing by producing content for controlled technical and sales brochures, as well as installation instructions and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals.
- Support the Sales team with high level technical support on technically challenging inquiries such as site surveys, estimating R&D costs, providing design calculations and cost information.
- Assist Installations with troubleshooting and technical advice as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Qualifications
- Essential:
- BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Understanding of CE Marking, UKCA certification, and compliance testing for international products.
- Expertise in product development processes and regulatory requirements.
- Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
- Knowledge of quality assurance processes and regulatory compliance frameworks.
- Desirable:
- Membership in a relevant professional body.
- Understanding of Health & Safety regulations in an R&D setting.
- Experience in CFD modelling for fire or thermal analysis and/or experience in product testing to validate design models.
Experience, Knowledge, and Understanding
- Essential:
- Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects from concept to completion.
- Experience in an R&D environment, ideally within the construction, fire safety, or security industries.
- Ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to identify and monitor critical path on complex projects to drive successful completion.
- Desirable:
- Track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
- Experience implementing quality assurance and process improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma).
- Hands-on experience in fire, acoustic, or security product testing.
Skills
- Strong analytical and methodical approach to problem-solving.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and critical paths.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for engaging technical and external stakeholders.
- Comprehensive understanding of local and international product compliance and certification.
- Hands-on experience with testing, data analysis, and reporting.
- Proficiency in CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for design review.
- Experience in quality assurance processes, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Personal Qualities and Commitment
- Highly motivated, confident, and results-driven.
- Detail-oriented and well-organized.
- Resilient and decisive under pressure.
- Personable, with strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Commitment to continuous improvement and product quality.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and develop team members.
- Adaptable and open to new challenges.
Other Factors
- Right to work in the UK.
- Satisfactory reference checks.
- This role is based in a manufacturing facility and may require occasional travel.
- Willingness to work flexible hours to meet business demands.
- Full UK driving licence.
Salary: Up to £70,000 depending on experience.
Benefits:
- Grow with us: Get access to training, development and career growth opportunities.
- Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 32 days of annual leave, including bank holidays.
- Extra Day Off: Celebrate your birthday with a day off—no annual leave required!
- Life assurance of 4 x basic salary.
- Flexible Options: Take advantage of our holiday purchase scheme to suit your needs.
- Financial Support: Company pension and employee discount programs for added savings.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced maternity and paternity leave to support growing families.
- Well-Being Initiatives: Access our cycle-to-work scheme and enjoy additional store discounts.
- Referral Rewards: Join our referral programme to earn bonuses for great recommendations.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Benefit from company-paid sick pay for peace of mind.
R&D Technical Lead / Product Manager employer: Clark Door Limited
Contact Detail:
Clark Door Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Technical Lead / Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the R&D and engineering sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture at Clark Door.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in fire-rated, acoustic, and security door systems. Being knowledgeable about current technologies and innovations will help you stand out during interviews and discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with compliance testing and regulatory standards relevant to the role. Highlight specific projects where you ensured adherence to CE and UKCA certification requirements, as this will demonstrate your expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by providing examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in past projects. Emphasising your ability to foster collaboration and drive innovation will resonate well with the values of Clark Door.
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Technical Lead / Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in R&D and product management. Focus on specific projects you've led, particularly those that demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and manage multidisciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for engineering excellence and innovation. Mention how your background aligns with Clark Door's mission and the specific responsibilities of the R&D Technical Lead/Product Manager role.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your expertise in compliance testing, project management, and quality assurance processes. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex engineering challenges in previous roles.
Highlight Continuous Improvement: Discuss your commitment to continuous improvement and how you've implemented quality assurance methodologies in past projects. This will resonate well with the company's focus on maintaining rigorous quality standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at Clark Door Limited
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As an R&D Technical Lead/Product Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of engineering principles and product development processes. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on your role in driving innovation and ensuring compliance with standards.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
This role requires managing multidisciplinary teams, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and mentoring team members, as well as how you handle challenges within a team setting.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Given the importance of compliance testing and certification in this position, brush up on relevant legislation and regulatory standards. Be ready to explain how you've ensured products meet these requirements in previous roles, particularly in international contexts.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
The ability to tackle complex engineering challenges is key for this role. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've identified problems, conducted root cause analysis, and implemented effective solutions, especially in relation to quality assurance and product testing.
