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- Tasks: Lead innovative projects from concept to manufacturing in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking recruitment firm connecting engineers with top engineering companies.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, influence, and the chance to mentor others in your field.
- Why this job: Take ownership of product design and make impactful decisions without micromanagement.
- Qualifications: 5-8+ years in regulated product development with strong project leadership skills.
- Other info: Shape processes and contribute to long-term product lifecycles.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is not a lab-coat, blue-sky R&D role. It's a proper senior engineering role for someone who knows how to take a product from concept and turn it into something that can actually be built, validated, and shipped in a regulated environment. You'll sit at the sharp end of new product introduction. Leading projects, owning technical decisions, managing risk, and being the engineer people look to when things get complex. If you enjoy responsibility, autonomy, and being trusted to make judgment calls, this will suit you. This role suits someone who has grown up in regulated product development. Medical devices ideally, but aerospace or automotive backgrounds also fit if you understand structured design control and validation.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading NPI and design transfer projects from early concept through to manufacturing.
- Acting as the senior technical interface internally and externally during development.
- Owning design outputs, including drawings, BOMs, specifications, DMRs, and manufacturing documentation.
- Driving risk management activities across products and projects, not just filling in templates.
- Working closely with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Suppliers to ensure smooth transfer.
- Supporting validation activity, including IQ, OQ, and PQ during scale-up and early production.
- Making independent engineering decisions and escalating only when genuinely needed.
- Mentoring junior engineers and setting technical direction within the team.
- Improving products and processes based on real manufacturing and field feedback.
What you'll need:
- A strong background in regulated product development and design transfer.
- Experience working to ISO 13485, or equivalent regulated standards from aerospace or automotive.
- Confidence leading projects and technical discussions without needing hand-holding.
- Solid understanding of risk management, validation, and design control.
- Ability to translate engineering intent into documentation that manufacturing can use.
- A practical mindset. You care about DFM, DFA, yield, and real-world outcomes.
- An engineering degree, HND, or HNC with solid experience behind it.
- Typically 5–8+ years in a similar environment.
Why is this role interesting:
- Senior technical ownership without layers of bureaucracy.
- Real influence over how products are designed and transferred.
- Long-term product lifecycle involvement, not just project handovers.
- Scope to shape processes, mentor others, and contribute IP.
- A role built around trust and competence, not micromanagement.
- If you're currently stuck being the safe pair of hands with no real authority, this role gives you the space to actually lead.
About Us: At Thomas Lee Recruitment, we specialise in connecting engineers and technical salespeople with leading companies in the engineering sector. We pride ourselves on offering a personalised, professional, and transparent recruitment service. Our focus is on understanding both client and candidate needs to ensure the best possible match.
How to Apply: All applications will be responded to. Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying. By applying for this role, you accept our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers, which can be found on our website.
Senior R&D Engineer in Farnborough employer: Thomas Lee Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Thomas Lee Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior R&D Engineer in Farnborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who have experience in regulated product development. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether at networking events or interviews, be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled complex engineering challenges. This is your time to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview or meeting, drop a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a range of exciting roles that might just be your next big break. Plus, applying directly gives you a better chance of standing out to recruiters who are eager to find the right talent.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior R&D Engineer in Farnborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Engineering Flair: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your engineering experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to see your journey from concept to product, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Specific About Your Experience: Mention your background in regulated environments like medical devices, aerospace, or automotive. We’re looking for solid examples of how you've navigated design control and validation, so get specific!
Demonstrate Leadership Skills: This role is all about taking charge, so let us know about your leadership experiences. Share instances where you’ve led projects or mentored others, and how you made independent decisions that drove success.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Lee Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of regulated product development and design transfer. Brush up on ISO 13485 and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the requirements of the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the standards, but that you can apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of projects where you’ve taken the lead and made independent engineering decisions. Highlight situations where you’ve managed risk and driven validation activities. This will demonstrate your ability to take ownership and lead technical discussions confidently.
✨Be Practical and Results-Oriented
Emphasise your practical mindset by discussing how you’ve improved products and processes based on real-world feedback. Be ready to talk about DFM, DFA, and yield, and how these concepts have influenced your work. This shows you care about tangible outcomes, not just theoretical knowledge.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a dialogue. Ask insightful questions about their current projects, challenges they face, and how you can contribute. This not only shows your interest in the role but also positions you as someone who is proactive and eager to collaborate.
