Research & Development Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne

Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL) is seeking an Engineering Manager for the R&D department at its headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. This key role will be part of LFL’s global leadership team and will manage all aspects of the stage gate process for new products from project initiation, concept design through to final design, testing, and launch. Additional responsibilities include technical support, research, and development. The main purpose is to strategically align Lawson Fuses in the low voltage fuse gear electrical marketplace by creating product roadmaps and accelerating new product development through innovation and adopting cutting‑edge materials.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to shape the profile, reputation, and growth of Lawson Fuses, and to develop and train a robust product development team.

Incorporated in 1938, LFL is an established British and global brand that operates in the fuse gear market with a focus on design, development and manufacture of low voltage High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuse-links and associated fuse holders. LFL’s products are ASTA certified and comply with IEC/BS/ENA standards and are accepted worldwide. With manufacturing facilities in the UK and India, LFL’s global clientele spans the UK, Middle East, Africa, India, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. LFL has an ISO 17025 ASTA certified R&D lab and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, underscoring its commitment to safety, quality and speed of product delivery.

This is a full‑time role based in our Newcastle upon Tyne plant. The role reports to the General Manager and works closely with sales and operations teams to implement product roadmap strategies. Four dimensions define the role:

• Develop and implement product roadmaps;
• Design product for manufacture and optimized cost;
• Product/lab qualification and certification;
• Technical support.

The ideal candidate is an outstanding technical leader, communicator and team player with strong project management skills, coming from electrical, mechanical, or material science background with a successful track record of product development and launch.

Key Activities Of This Role Will Include:

• Strategic product roadmap for the business – Development and Implementation
• Tactical technical execution plan for the business – Development and Implementation
• Drive product development and other technical activities in line with monthly targets
• Product verification testing in line with compliance required
• Technical support for existing product lines
• R&D lab qualification and certification in line with compliance required
• Collaboration with sales and operations teams across sites to address any compliance and/or quality issues

Key Accountabilities:

• Research – Identifying and researching technical market trends and gaps in collaboration with sales and marketing teams
• Researching new materials and compositions to improve products to meet cost, compliance, sustainability and customer needs
• Design – Designing the concept to meet technical, legal and commercial requirements
• Adopting design for manufacture, value engineering and design‑to‑cost concepts
• Creating intellectual property as part of fuse gear design and enabling product differentiation
• Product bills of material development, drawings office control and design change control
• Development & Testing – Product development via proven product life cycle methodologies (agile beneficial) and stage gate processes
• Working to technical standards and preparation for product qualification (BS88, BS1361, EN&IEC 60269, ENA, UL etc.)
• Type testing including internal tests (temperature rise, power dissipation etc.) and external type tests in qualified labs for verification/validation of the product
• Project Management – Robust management of projects including budgets, timelines, stakeholders, risk management and associated support activities
• Activities to manage include product development, lab upgrade and procurement of new equipment/infrastructure, new product supply chain support etc.
• Technical and Administrative Support – Running an accredited test laboratory to ISO/IEC 17025
• Assisting sales team with tenders and product justification
• Capital expenditure – planning and justifying the expense
• Dealing with sub‑contractors/service providers
• Actively participate in trade Association and technical activities (e.g., BEAMA & BSI)
• Actively participate in BSI, EN and International (IEC) standardisation activities
• Hosting audits for department/lab and factory
• Technical support to operations and quality team
• Collaboration with universities on material analysis

Communication:

• Preparation of management documents, departmental targets and board reports
• Work closely with sales on product launch activities including technical marketing, whitepapers, masterclasses etc.

People:

• Recruit, mentor, train and grow a robust product development team
• Current team comprises 1 x Assistant Manager R&D, 1 x mechanical engineer, 1 x electrical engineer, 1 x materials engineer and 2 lab technicians spread across two sites.
• Medium‑term plan anticipates growth in the team to accelerate product development.
• Both UK and India teams are further supported by test technicians

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

• 15+ years’ experience within technical roles.
• Preferably 3 to 5 years’ experience as an R&D Manager, Engineering Manager, Lead Engineer and/or supervisory or lead position
• Experience in a manufacturing environment, especially electrical circuit protection is a major advantage
• Experience in low voltage and medium voltage components
• Education: Ideal candidate will have an engineering qualification preferably a master’s degree in relevant discipline
• Technical background – Electrical, mechanical and/or material experience.
• Material experience includes sand (silica/quartz), ceramics, copper, silver, brass, insulation materials, moulded plastics etc.
• Experience of learning and understanding new technical concepts
• Experience working to technical IEC/BS standards (optionally UL)
• Good understanding of general compliance – CE/UKCA marking requirements
• Running an accredited test laboratory and experience in laboratory techniques
• Excellent interpersonal and business communication skills
• High level of initiative with the ability to self‑motivate
• Works well independently and in team settings
• Good written and spoken English
• Ability to travel around the UK & globally
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills
• Experience collaborating with global cross-cultural teams
• Strong computer skills with high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business systems.
• Exposure to modelling tools helpful (e.g., SolidWorks, Ansys etc.)

Behavioural Competencies:

• Vision to look towards the long‑term future including coaching and support of the team
• Able to work under pressure & to challenging deadlines
• Willingness to learn and develop
• Ability to confidently motivate and provide direction to a cross‑functional team
• Creative thinker and doer
• Proactive can‑do attitude
• Maintain a high level of self‑motivation and independence