At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech design of innovative animal wearable devices from concept to production.
- Company: Join a pioneering company in animal health technology with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on learning and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal health while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in technical leadership and experience with IoT or wearable devices.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Animal Health Technology Solutions offers global animal identification and monitoring solutions for companion animals and livestock. These solutions enable pet owners to better manage the health and well-being of their pets and enable livestock producers to improve well-being and animal production. Technology Solutions include Core Technologies in Livestock Identification, Dairy, Beef, and Swine monitoring, for which the product/market fit is established, as well as products in discovery.
Our Technology Solutions division is evolving. We are moving to a Product Operating Model – a new way of working that empowers product teams to take full ownership and accountability for delivering customer and business value in ways our customers love and that work for the business. Our product teams are cross-functional and durable, bringing together all the skills required to deliver impactful outcomes. Each team includes a Product Manager, Technology Lead, Product Designer, Delivery Lead, engineers, and developers. We believe in customer centricity, ownership, and accountability.
Solutions must be:
- Valuable – customers choose to buy or use them
- Viable – aligned with business constraints and goals
- Usable – intuitive and user-friendly
- Feasible – achievable with our technical capabilities
Leadership of the team is shared between the Product Manager and the Technology Lead, ensuring balanced guidance that bridges product vision and technical execution.
Role Summary
As the Vence Collar Tech Lead, you will provide technical leadership for the animal wearable device (collar) within the broader Vence solution. You will lead the technical design and execution of the collar from concept through mass production, ensuring the solution is technically robust, manufacturable, reliable, and scalable in real-world farm environments. You will work as part of the Vence core product team, in close partnership with the Vence Collar Product Manager, R&D teams, NPI, Operations, Customer Success, and manufacturing partners. You will be accountable for technical architecture, system integration, validation, risk management, and technical readiness for launch and ongoing support.
We are looking for a Vence Collar Tech Lead who:
- Thrives on leading technical development of products that customers love, understanding customer problems and leading the development and delivery of technological solutions
- Is guided by measurable results related to collar performance and customer outcomes
- Collaborates across R&D, NPI, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Success to deliver a technically strong device
- Uses field data and technical evidence to guide engineering tradeoffs and improvements
- Fosters an environment of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration in a multidisciplinary team
Key Responsibilities
Collar Technical Strategy, Architecture, and Design
- Work with the Vence Collar Product Manager and cross-functional partners to understand Vence customer needs and translate agreed product outcomes into technical solutions for the collar.
- Lead the technical architecture and system design for the collar, including electronics, mechanics, embedded software, RF communications, integration, and validation.
- Define and drive engineering solutions that meet performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost constraints.
- Ensure collar designs and algorithms are compatible with and make effective use of relevant Core Platforms, avoiding duplication of platform responsibilities.
- Evaluate technical feasibility, complexity, and risk for proposed design changes and solutions.
- Own collar-specific product outcomes and metrics (e.g., field failure/return rates, installation/activation success, battery life, robustness, unit cost) and use these to guide design trade-offs.
Collaboration, Product Discovery & Cross Functional Leadership
- Work as part of the Vence core product team to define goals and solve customer problems related to the collar, bringing collar-specific technical and field insights into decisions.
- Drive and participate in product discovery for collar-related problems:
- Engage with Customer Success, field teams, and customers to understand pain points (installation, comfort, durability, reliability).
- Help define and run experiments and trials to validate ideas before committing to full design changes.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D functional managers, engineers, product design, NPI, Operations, Supply Chain, and Customer Success to ensure alignment and delivery.
Validation, Quality, and NPI Readiness
- Ensure speed to market while maintaining focus on quality, robustness, and performance in demanding environments.
- Collaborate with NPI and Operations on production launch and ramp-up, as well as ongoing mass production support.
- Define and oversee validation strategy, technical acceptance criteria, and readiness activities.
- Identify risks early and proactively define mitigation strategies.
- Support ongoing operations by investigating and resolving field issues and feeding insights into future improvements.
- Stay current with relevant IoT, hardware, and wearable technologies and industry trends.
- Promote innovation while maintaining strong focus on reliability, safety, and field performance.
Performance and Accountability
- Own the technical architecture and engineering of the collar and ensure the solution achieves customer outcomes.
- Deliver high-quality technical solutions that meet agreed requirements and performance targets.
- Track and report technical metrics such as reliability, test coverage, yield, field failure rates, and risks.
- Ensure engineering decisions balance feasibility, reliability, maintainability, manufacturability, and cost.
- Provide strong technical input to support product decisions.
Required Qualifications
- BSc/MSc in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in technical leadership or technical project management for multidisciplinary hardware products.
- Proven experience working in a product team and collaborating cross-functionally.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience working in medium and large-scale companies.
- Comprehensive knowledge of IoT architecture, embedded systems, hardware, mechanics, integration, and validation.
- Experience developing mass-production products for wireless IoT or wearable devices.
- Proven experience working throughout the entire product life cycle, from discovery and concept through design, validation, and mass production.
- Experience working on complex products requiring a high level of technical know-how and coordination across multiple geographic locations.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
- Passion for building products that solve real customer problems and deliver measurable value in the field.
- A mindset of ownership, accountability, and customer focus; comfortable signing up for results and driving outcomes through others when needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in geofencing, animal technology, or similar field-deployed hardware solutions.
Characteristics
- Ability to lead as an individual contributor within a matrix environment, influencing without direct line authority.
- Strong ability to focus on what is important to the customer and the business, not just what is technically interesting.
- Willingness to travel to meet customers, field teams, manufacturing partners, and remote R&D teams.
- Problem solver with a “can-do” attitude and strong desire for learning and innovation.
- Excellent team player, able to collaborate closely with the Vence Product Manager, Vence Tech Lead, Vence core product team, engineering, NPI, Operations, and Customer Success.
- Passion for fostering team innovation and leveraging the collective ideas and expertise of cross-functional colleagues.
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
- Change Controls, Portfolio, Programme, and Project Support, Problem Management, Release Management, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, System Designs
Vence Collar Tech Lead in Cambridge employer: MSD
At Animal Health Technology Solutions, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our cross-functional teams and emphasis on continuous learning, ensuring that every team member has the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that enhance animal health and well-being. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer a unique chance to work on cutting-edge technology solutions while enjoying a supportive workplace that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vence Collar Tech Lead in Cambridge
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like MSD. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like MSD!
We think you need these skills to ace Vence Collar Tech Lead in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show MSD that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at MSD.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that MSD does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSD
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at MSD. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into MSD's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at MSD. This shows your passion for the industry!
