Mechanisms Functional Manager in Guildford

The Mechanisms Function Lead is responsible for overseeing the technical execution, cost, budget and delivery of project solutions. They will ensure that each project adheres to the appropriate risk profile and will guide mechanical solutions in collaboration with the Mechanism Experts. They are also accountable for ensuring that design policies and guidelines within their functional area are consistently applied.

Key Tasks

• Work closely with Mechanisms Experts and wider mechanical engineering functions to establish and maintain team‑level policies and procedures that ensure consistent, high‑quality outputs aligned with SSTL’s engineering approach.
• Ensure the team possesses the electro‑mechanical technical skills required to deliver current and future mechanisms projects.
• Review the work package managers within the team to confirm they are meeting the requirements of their work package descriptions, and that their plans are achievable and aligned with SSTL working practices.
• Ensure work package managers apply best practice in the execution of mechanisms work. Regularly review trend charts, performance indicators and technical outputs, and implement corrective actions where required.
• Work collaboratively with Project Managers, Heads of and other Functional Managers to identify and resolve resource conflicts or capability issues before they impact project progress.
• Ensure that key technical and project issues related to mechanisms products are being addressed promptly, coordinating closely with other functional leads as needed.
• Provide leadership alongside the Experts through training, mentoring and the professional development of team members, particularly in mechanism design, analysis and electro‑mechanical integration.
• Ensure risks associated with mechanisms and electro‑mechanical systems are identified, managed and effectively communicated to Projects and Engineering.
• Collaborate with PMs, Mechanical Engineering and Mechanisms Experts to ensure that mechanisms‑related project deliverables are completed at the appropriate level of technical capability, risk and cost.
• Identify any product development required to maintain the capability in SSTL of its mechanisms products/capabilities and then source the appropriate resources to ensure this can move forwards.
• Maintain a top‑level roadmap for mechanisms and identify what resources/decisions/challenges are required to achieve it.
• Support of hands‑on engineering and debugging mechanism hardware issues including electrical, software and component anomalies when required.
• Some elements of project and design work is also likely to be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION (essential requirements)

Experience

• A successful track record in spacecraft engineering or other high‑reliability engineering sectors, ideally involving electro‑mechanical or mechanisms‑based systems.
• Preferably, experience in diagnosing and resolving issues across hardware, component interfaces, software interactions and firmware elements, particularly in electro‑mechanical assemblies or mechanisms.
• Preferably, a mechanical design background, including experience with stress‑critical components, precision tolerancing and drafting, materials selection and manufacturing methods.

Knowledge and Skills

• Good level of technical understanding in your field.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Commitment to deliver.
• Knowledge of mechanism products, mechanism components (e.g. bearings, actuators, transmissions, feedback devices) and their role within the system is ideal.
• Desire to support and guide others.
• Good inter‑personal skills.
• Software knowledge preferable: SolidWorks or similar; Ansys; Matlab; MS Office.