Electronics Team Leader in Havant

Kenwood’s R&D Department based in our Havant Headquarters on England’s South Coast is the centre of excellence within our parent De’Longhi Group for the design and development of food preparation appliances which are sold in many international markets for use in both domestic and semi-commercial environments.

Our engineers work closely with colleagues from other functions such as Marketing, Industrial Design, Approvals, Quality Assurance, Production and Aftersales Support as well as with our in-house Development Chefs and performance team to create, refine and develop technical specifications for new and often innovative products. These design concepts are then progressed through the manufacture and evaluation of prototypes in collaboration with colleagues from our overseas manufacturing facilities to ensure a smooth transition into production and ultimately a successful and timely product launch.

We are currently seeking a skilled and enthusiastic Electronics Team Leader to join our small, friendly team. Your key role will be to lead a team of engineers to design and develop domestic food preparation appliances such as stand mixers and food processors in line with Kenwood’s New Product Development programme. We’re looking for a talented individual who can elevate those around them, strengthening a very collaborative and sharing team by bringing on-board additional specialist skills and leadership qualities to successfully deliver projects and other technical activities.

The role

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will lead the design and development of electronics for assigned projects within the Kenwood range from concept through to production. This includes bringing your subject matter expertise and use of new technology to shape future products. You’ll help us innovate to provide cost-effective customer benefits, delivering in-house electronics design to build and deliver projects from concept to production. You’ll be hands-on with design and laboratory work such as testing and de-bugging.

This is a role where you’ll be able to expand your horizons: you’ll have access to the expertise across our group and the opportunity to travel as you deal with our suppliers and factories in China. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and experience within an electronics and projects environment for a renowned brand, supported by excellent internal lab facilities for product and electronics development and testing.

You will achieve success by providing inspirational leadership to your team, managing group-wide stakeholders through transparent communication, and ensuring every project delivers high-quality, cost-effective solutions to market on time.

Key responsibilities

• Design and development of electronics for domestic appliances at a system and PCBA level
• Managing a team of electronics specialists
• Direct supervision of a small project aligned team comprising hardware and software engineering supported by a technician
• Schematic design of MCU & MPU based circuits with digital and analogue electronics
• Development of Graphical User Interface solutions for optimised user experience
• Defining and integrating with IOT solutions
• Concept development of new features
• Component selection to meet functional and compliance requirements
• Design validation testing at a PCBA and system level
• Technical problem solving
• Ensure design meets safety requirements for regulatory approval, primarily EN60335 and RED Directive
• Designing and testing for EMC compliance and EMC performance improvement
• Technical documentation, configuration management and EC release
• Specification and execution of test requirements through product development

About you

Outward-looking and a strong collaborator, you’ll be someone who can provide direction and value add to the overall design effort while designing robust electronics solutions. A keen willingness to learn and ability to put yourself in the role of the user for a customer first approach to solution design is essential.

You’ll have an applicable degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering or equivalent, with demonstrable experience in a relevant role and the ability to represent electronics in a project environment. You’ll be competent in analogue and digital design of MCU and/or MPU based circuits, safety/EMC compliance for electronics, testing and de-bugging, electro-mechanical integration/DFM and PCBA manufacturing processes. You are able to communicate effectively with technology and manufacturing suppliers, project stakeholders and peers within the group. You will have experience leading a team of electronics specialists in a project delivery environment.

Finally, Kenwood Electronics Engineers must ensure our products meet the high standards expected of us, you’ll have great attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset.

What’s in for you?

Aside from an outstanding benefits package and a friendly, diverse culture, you’ll enjoy the reward of owning projects throughout the full lifecycle of concept to delivery, within an entrepreneurial and forward-looking team. Our culture and workplace environment are industry-leading, with heavy investment in learning and development for all staff. Our benefits include:

• Excellent contributory pension
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Hybrid working (minimum 3 days per week on site)
• Superb, subsidised restaurant
• Free on-site parking
• Flexible benefits package
• Access to a range of wellbeing activities and events

About Kenwood

Kenwood is a world leader in food preparation technology and a renowned kitchen appliance brand. Our products allow anyone, from novices to professional chefs, to enjoy the thrill of creating their own delicious food and drinks. While our appliances are engineered to stand the test of time, we’re pioneers who continually push the boundaries of technology, always looking for new and easier ways for people to get creative in the kitchen.

The location

You’ll work from Kenwood’s global HQ on the beautiful South Coast between Portsmouth and Chichester, where our products are conceived and tested, and where our UK De’Longhi division is based.