Engineering Prototype Lab Manager in Yateley

At Sonardyne International, we're looking for an experienced Engineering Prototype Lab Manager to lead our prototype laboratory and development workshop at our headquarters in Yateley, Hampshire.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who combines practical engineering expertise with strong organisational and leadership skills.

You'll play a key role in bringing new technologies to life, supporting our Engineering teams from initial concept and prototype development through to successful transfer into manufacture.

We're looking for someone who is equally comfortable getting involved in a complex prototype build, coordinating materials and suppliers, or supporting and developing a team of talented technicians and apprentices.

If you enjoy solving technical challenges, improving processes and creating an environment where engineering innovation can thrive, we'd love to hear from you.

• Leading the prototype laboratory: Managing the day-to-day activities, organisation, safety and efficient operation of our engineering laboratory and development workshop.
• Getting hands-on: Building and assembling prototype products, cable assemblies, wiring looms and harnesses using engineering drawings, schematics and controlled build documentation.
• Coordinating prototype builds: Planning and overseeing prototype activities, including small production runs of tens of units, ensuring project milestones and quality requirements are met.
• Managing materials and procurement: Sourcing and purchasing prototype components, materials, tooling, laboratory equipment and specialist services.
• Working with suppliers: Coordinating external manufacturing, specialist fabrication and subcontracted activities, ensuring components and services are available when required.
• Supporting our people: Managing, mentoring and developing laboratory staff and apprentices, allocating workloads and resources across multiple engineering projects.
• Maintaining our facilities: Ensuring laboratory equipment, tools, test assets and consumables are maintained and fit for purpose.
• Collaborating across the business: Acting as a key link between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and external suppliers.
• Supporting product development: Contributing to engineering change control, configuration management, quality assurance and the successful transfer of new products into manufacture.
• Driving continuous improvement: Identifying opportunities to improve laboratory capability, efficiency, procurement processes and resource utilisation.
• Championing safety and quality: Maintaining risk assessments and ensuring all activities comply with relevant health, safety, environmental and quality procedures.
• You’ll be someone who takes pride in producing high-quality work, enjoys solving problems and understands the importance of keeping multiple engineering projects moving forward.
• Previous experience working within a prototype development, engineering laboratory, workshop or research and development environment.
• Strong practical engineering skills, including electrical wiring, soldering, cable assembly and electro-mechanical integration.
• The ability to confidently interpret engineering schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and assembly documentation.
• Experience managing technical staff, engineering resources, suppliers and prototype procurement activities.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the confidence to work across different engineering disciplines.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused approach, with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to quality and safety.
• Relevant engineering training, an apprenticeship or equivalent demonstrable practical experience, Experience within marine technology, underwater acoustics, sonar, defence, robotics, instrumentation or a similar technical industry.
• Previous involvement in new product introduction (NPI) and the transfer of engineering prototypes into manufacture.
• Familiarity with IPC standards, CAD, engineering document control, 3D printing or rapid‑prototyping techniques.
• Experience improving laboratory processes, technical capabilities and resource utilisation.
• An HNC, HND, degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.
• Relevant IPC certification, If you're an experienced, hands‑on engineering professional who enjoys leading people, building prototypes and turning technical challenges into practical solutions, we'd love to hear from you.
• Our people design, engineer and manufacture technologies that help our customers explore, understand and operate in some of the world’s most challenging underwater environments.

Our technologies support a diverse range of sectors, including offshore energy, ocean science, defence and marine robotics.

Joining our Engineering team means becoming part of a collaborative environment where practical expertise, innovation and problem-solving really matter.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the development of new products, support the growth of engineering talent and help shape the future capability of our prototype laboratory.

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