At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure exceptional service for assistive technology repairs.
- Company: Smartbox, a global leader in augmentative and alternative communication.
- Benefits: Purpose-driven work, supportive culture, growth opportunities, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to accessibility and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives through innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Technical expertise in electronics and proven leadership experience.
Join us in making sure no one is left without a voice. At Smartbox, our assistive technology empowers people with disabilities who experience speech difficulties to express themselves, connect with others, and live more independent lives. We’re proud to be a global leader in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), supporting people across the UK, US, Europe, and beyond. But what truly sets us apart is our people – passionate, collaborative, and driven by the impact our products have every day. If you're motivated by meaningful work and want to use your technical expertise to help create technology that genuinely changes lives, we’d love to hear from you.
The Opportunity
This is an exciting 12-month maternity cover opportunity for a Technical Service Lead to own our Service and Repairs function, lead a talented team, and help ensure the people who rely on Smartbox Technology continue to receive exceptional service. This is a unique opportunity for someone who enjoys combining hands-on technical problem-solving with people leadership and operational improvement. You’ll play a key role in ensuring customers receive a responsive, reliable repair service while helping shape the future of our service operation as we continue to grow and evolve.
What You’ll Be Doing
- You’ll lead the day-to-day operation of our Service and Repairs team, creating a culture where ownership, accountability and continuous improvement thrive.
- You’ll support, coach and develop team members, helping them build confidence, capability and technical expertise while ensuring the team is motivated, engaged and aligned with business priorities.
- You’ll act as a technical expert within the business, supporting complex fault diagnosis and repairs, leading root cause investigations, and working closely with our Hardware Engineering team to improve product reliability and customer outcomes.
- Working collaboratively across Customer Services, Production, Quality, Supply Chain and Engineering, you’ll help remove barriers, improve communication and drive operational excellence across the entire customer journey.
- You’ll also lead improvements that reduce turnaround times, streamline processes, improve reporting, introduce best practice and prepare the department for future regulatory requirements, including ISO 13485 compliance.
Why This Role Is Unique
This isn’t a typical service leadership role. You’ll be working at the intersection of:
- Assistive technology and accessibility.
- Technical troubleshooting and people leadership.
- Customer experience and operational excellence.
- Product reliability, quality and regulatory compliance.
Every repair you and your team complete has a direct impact on someone’s ability to communicate, connect with others and live independently. The work is technically challenging, highly rewarding and genuinely meaningful.
What success looks like in 12 months:
- Reduce repair turnaround times.
- Improve first-time fix performance.
- Strengthen reporting and KPIs.
- Support ISO 13485 readiness.
- Build strong relationships across Engineering, Production and Customer Services.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a rare combination of technical expertise, leadership capability and a passion for continuous improvement.
Essential Experience:
- A technical qualification in electronics, engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing electronic products.
- Proven experience leading, motivating and developing technical teams.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent troubleshooting and root cause analysis capability.
- Experience using ERP systems.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desirable Experience:
- Medical devices and regulated products.
- ISO 13485 and quality management systems.
- Six Sigma methodologies.
- CAPA investigations.
- Business Central.
- Electronics fault-finding to component level.
Why Join Smartbox
Every day, you’ll contribute to products that help people communicate, express themselves and live more independently. You’ll see first-hand the impact our technology has on users and their families, knowing that your work makes a real difference. You’ll join a supportive, collaborative team that values new ideas, continuous learning and helping each other succeed. We encourage people to take ownership, challenge the status quo and contribute to meaningful improvements that shape the future of the business.
In return, we offer:
- Purpose-driven work with real-world impact.
- A welcoming, collaborative and supportive culture.
- Opportunities to grow, develop and lead.
- The chance to influence and improve a critical function within the business.
- Wellbeing support and a strong benefits package.
- The opportunity to work alongside passionate experts committed to making a difference.
Dive into our website to discover all the fantastic benefits available at Smartbox.
Inclusion and Sustainability
At Smartbox, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and able to thrive. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If there’s anything we can do to support you during the recruitment process, please feel free to let us know within your application. We also aim to build sustainability into everything we do, from how we design our products to how we operate as a business.
Technical Service Lead employer: Smartbox Assistive Technology
At Smartbox, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee is valued and empowered to grow. As a Sales Coordinator in our Central Sales Office, you'll benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals with speech difficulties. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation and teamwork, making Smartbox an exceptional place to build your career while contributing to a noble cause.
Contact Details:
Smartbox Assistive Technology Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Service Lead
✨Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
✨Tap into Engineering Meetups
Networking is key in engineering, especially for temporary positions. Check out local engineering meetups or hackathons relevant to your interests. Engaging with peers can lead to leads on temporary roles. Plus, it’s a sweet way to showcase your skills and passion in person—who knows who might be hiring at one of these events?
✨Leverage Your Connections
Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
✨Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at Smartbox Assistive Technology that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Service Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills:For a temporary engineering role like this one at Smartbox Assistive Technology, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like Smartbox Assistive Technology want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV is tailored to reflect the specific engineering projects relevant to the job. For instance, if you’ve worked on temporary contracts before or have engaged in diverse engineering processes, highlight these experiences to show how well-rounded you are.
Include References from Past Employers:Temporary positions often require trust and reliability. Adding references from previous employers can significantly boost your application. It shows that you have a strong work ethic and can adapt quickly, which is exactly what Smartbox Assistive Technology will be looking for.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smartbox Assistive Technology
✨Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at Smartbox Assistive Technology. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, Smartbox Assistive Technology might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
✨Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at Smartbox Assistive Technology. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
✨Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at Smartbox Assistive Technology, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
