Engineering Manager - Electronics in Cambourne

Engineering Manager - Electronics in Cambourne

Cambourne Full-Time 65000 - 78000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
SPT Labtech

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic electronics team to innovate in laboratory automation.
  • Company: SPT Labtech, a pioneer in transforming scientific research.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, and a generous pension plan.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to excellence and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on cutting-edge technology that enhances human health.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Electronics Engineering or related field; leadership experience preferred.

The predicted salary is between 65000 - 78000 £ per year.

  • Do you want to drive the electronics vision behind cutting-edge laboratory automation as
  • Engineering Manager in the
  • Electronics team at

SPT Labtech ?

You will own technical authority across electronics, motion control, and low-level system integration, while leading and developing a high-performing engineering team.

Remaining hands-on in design, architecture, and problem-solving, you will work closely with software and mechanical teams to deliver precise, reliable, high-performance control of complex electromechanical systems.

This role suits a senior engineer with deep electronics and embedded systems expertise, strong motion-control capability, and the ability to solve complex technical challenges while collaborating effectively across disciplines.

About us

Based in Cambridge, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work.

For decades, our expert scientists, engineers and business innovators have provided scientists with world-leading, innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health.

We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalised experiences designed for real-world challenges in the lab.

Want to be part of a team that’s truly making a difference?

Your key responsibilities will include

  • 1. Team Leadership & Development
  • Establish and develop the electronics engineering team, ensuring high technical standards and professional growth.

Ensure solutions are compliant with regulation and satisfy Quality, Delivery and Cost targets.

  • Work with programme and portfolio leads and the R&D Director to shape priorities and resource plans, ensuring the electronics team is aligned and able to deliver effectively.
  • Establish and improve engineering processes, design reviews, documentation standards, and verification approaches.
  • Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, and pragmatic problem-solving.
  • Manage small and medium projects as needed as well as providing technical direction and best practice guidance to team members
  • 2. Technical Leadership
  • Act as the authority for electronics design and motion control across the full product range.
  • Define and maintain architecture for electronics and control systems, ensuring alignment with software, firmware, and mechanical teams.
  • Take a system-level view of design decisions, ensuring electronics and motion-control choices support overall product architecture, performance, and reliability.
  • Lead motion-control strategy, providing direction on actuator requirements, drive-system architecture, and motion-control approaches that integrate cleanly into the wider system.
  • Provide strong technical input on embedded system design, hardware-software interfaces, and low-level integration, working collaboratively with firmware and software engineers.
  • Offer hands-on expertise in circuit design, PCB reviews, hardware debugging, instrumentation, and evaluation of electromechanical control behaviour.
  • 3. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
  • Work closely with the software team to ensure seamless integration of motion and system control into the broader software stack.
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineering on actuator selection and system dynamics, ensuring chosen actuators meet the control, performance, and integration requirements of the motion system.
  • Partner with firmware developers on interface definitions, partitioning decisions, and hardware-software integration.
  • Engage with manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure robust product introduction and sustained field performance.
  • Coordinate activities of partners and service providers in order to obtain services, supplies & equipment in collaboration with Purchasing.
  • 4. Product Development & Sustaining Engineering
  • Own electronics deliverables across the full development lifecycle: concept, architecture, design, verification, compliance, release, and continuous improvement.
  • Contribute to requirements definition, hazard analysis, and design risk assessments.
  • Ensure adherence to EMC, safety, and regulatory standards relevant to scientific instrumentation and automation.
  • Support the transition to manufacturing, including design for manufacture/test, supplier engagement, and production troubleshooting.
  • Oversee obsolescence management and sustaining engineering for existing products.

Skills & Attributes

You will be

  • Decisive, technically rigorous, and hands-on.
  • A strong problem-solver able to cut through complexity and ambiguity.
  • A collaborative communicator who aligns electronics, firmware, software, and mechanical perspectives effectively.
  • Motivated by building capability, improving design quality, and delivering robust products.
  • Able to thrive in multidisciplinary engineering environments.

The essentials

  • Technical
  • Strong hands-on background in electronics design (analogue, digital, power, sensing, comms).
  • Substantial experience with motion control in electromechanical or automation systems, including system-level motion architecture and integration with software.
  • Experience applying control-theory principles to real-world electromechanical systems (feedback, stability, system response, practical tuning).
  • Deep experience with microcontrollers (e. g., ARM/Cortex-M or similar), including selection, hardware integration, and collaboration on embedded firmware development.
  • Demonstrable capability in designing and integrating complex electromechanical control systems.
  • Skilled in practical debugging using scopes, logic analysers, JTAG tools, and diagnostic techniques.
  • Experience in laboratory automation, scientific instruments, robotics, industrial automation, or similar motion-intensive domains is highly advantageous.
  • Leadership
  • Experience managing or technically leading an engineering team, or have the desire to step into a management position.
  • Ability to set technical direction, make informed architectural decisions, and clearly communicate trade-offs.
  • Comfortable remaining hands-on while managing delivery and people.
  • Proven ability to improve engineering processes and elevate team capability.
  • Product Development
  • Experience delivering hardware-based products through a structured development lifecycle in a quality-driven environment (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar).
  • Comfortable with verification, design reviews, configuration control, interface management, and risk assessment.
  • Experience collaborating with manufacturing partners and dealing with the realities of production hardware.
  • Experience of clearly articulating requirements and design details.

Qualifications

  • Degree in Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related discipline.
  • Further qualifications or chartership (CEng) beneficial but not essential.

Our commitment to you

You’ll be working with talented professionals in a motivated and driven team.

We offer a competitive salary package and comprehensive, valued benefits, including private medical insurance and a generous pension plan.

We embrace diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status.

We prioritise supporting our employees' diverse needs as we strive for excellence together.

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Engineering Manager - Electronics in Cambourne employer: SPT Labtech

SPT Labtech is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Cambridge, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Multi-Disciplined Associate Engineer, you will benefit from extensive learning opportunities across various engineering disciplines, while being part of a team that values technical excellence and supports your professional growth. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on meaningful contributions throughout the product lifecycle, SPT Labtech provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a significant impact in their careers.

SPT Labtech

Contact Details:

SPT Labtech Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager - Electronics in Cambourne

Join Engineering Meetups!

Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Engineering Manager - Electronics role you’re after at SPT Labtech.

Show Off Your Projects!

Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at SPT Labtech a taste of what you can bring to the table!

Engage with Online Communities

Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at SPT Labtech.

Apply Through Company Websites

When you spot a role like Engineering Manager - Electronics at SPT Labtech, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager - Electronics in Cambourne

Electronics Design
Motion Control
Embedded Systems
Circuit Design
PCB Reviews
Hardware Debugging
Control Theory

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Engineering Manager - Electronics, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.

Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at SPT Labtech a clear picture of the value you can bring.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to SPT Labtech specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!

Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.

How to prepare for a job interview at SPT Labtech

Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles

Before heading into the interview with SPT Labtech, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.

Relate Your Experience to the Role

In a full-time role, employers like SPT Labtech want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.

Know Your Tools and Software

Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.