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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development from concept to manufacture and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Dynamic engineering-led manufacturer with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package.
- Other info: Join a growing team where your ideas can be implemented quickly.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by designing high-performance products for demanding environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in product-focused engineering and strong 3D CAD skills required.
We’re working with a growing, engineering-led manufacturer delivering high-performance physical products into demanding, real-world environments. This is not theoretical design; these are products that must perform, comply, and last.
They are now looking for a hands-on Product Development leader to take ownership of R&D, design engineering, and continuous product improvement.
The Role
This is a design and development-led engineering role at its core. You’ll be responsible for:
- Leading new product development (NPD) from concept through to manufacture
- Owning design decisions, materials selection, and product performance
- Driving product improvement and value engineering across existing ranges
- Translating real customer and site requirements into practical, manufacturable designs
- Embedding structured R&D and innovation processes into the business
- Working closely with production to ensure design for manufacture (DFM) and assembly (DFA)
This is a role for someone who still enjoys being close to the detail — CAD, problem-solving, testing, refining — not just managing from a distance.
What They’re Looking For
You’ll likely come from a product-focused engineering background, where you’ve designed and developed physical, manufactured products. Typical backgrounds could include:
- Building products / construction systems
- Fabricated metal or structural products
- Automotive or mechanical equipment
- Rail, infrastructure, utilities or similar regulated environments
You’ll bring:
- Proven experience delivering NPD projects end-to-end (concept → production)
- Strong 3D CAD capability (SolidWorks, Inventor or similar)
- A deep understanding of materials, manufacturing processes and product performance
- Experience with DFM / DFA and engineering optimisation
- Exposure to testing, validation, FEA or simulation tools
- A mindset focused on improving, evolving and challenging designs
Leadership experience is important — but this is not a “sit back” role. You’ll still be hands-on in design and development work.
The Environment
- Growing SME with strong technical ambition
- Loyal, long-standing team and collaborative culture
- Opportunity to shape how products are designed and developed
- Fast-moving, where ideas can actually be implemented
The business is particularly suited to someone who:
- Enjoys building and improving products, not maintaining legacy designs
- Is naturally curious, forward-thinking and commercially aware
- Wants to make a visible impact on a product range and engineering function
Why Join?
- Genuine ownership of product development and R&D direction
- A role where your designs will be built, used and seen
- Strong influence across engineering, operations and commercial teams
- Clear opportunity to modernise and elevate the engineering function
This is an urgent hire and interviews will move quickly for the right profile. For a confidential discussion, contact Emily or Sammy at PWR.
Head of Product Development (Engineering) employer: Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Development (Engineering)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help. We want you to walk in with ideas that show you’re ready to make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Bring examples of your past projects, especially those that align with product development. We love seeing tangible proof of your skills and how you’ve tackled real-world problems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind. We believe it shows your enthusiasm and professionalism, which can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Development (Engineering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Product Development: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for product development shine through. We want to see how your background and experiences align with our mission of delivering high-performance products. Share specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to that demonstrate your hands-on approach.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience with NPD, CAD tools, and any relevant engineering projects. We love seeing how your skills can directly contribute to our goals, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see your qualifications and how you fit into our team without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 proactive and keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Products Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the products the company develops. Familiarise yourself with their features, materials used, and any recent innovations. This will not only show your genuine interest but also allow you to discuss how your experience aligns with their product development goals.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
Since this role requires a hands-on approach, be prepared to share specific examples of your past projects. Highlight your involvement in the entire product development cycle, from concept to production, and discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about potential design or manufacturing challenges they might face and articulate your thought process on how you would address these issues. This will showcase your critical thinking and engineering expertise.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Leadership
This role involves working closely with various teams, so highlight your leadership experience and collaborative spirit. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects, and how you fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your previous roles.