At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop teams in software, hardware, robotics, and integration for innovative cell therapy manufacturing.
- Company: Cellular Origins, a pioneering company in cell therapies with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Annual bonus, 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a 10% pension contribution.
- Other info: Modern office environment at Melbourn Science Park with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by shaping the future of cell therapy technology.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in multidisciplinary engineering and experience with complex systems.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Cell therapies are creating new possibilities for patients with diseases that have previously been incurable.
Making those therapies available to more people depends on manufacturing them reliably, repeatedly and at scale.
Cellular Origins is building the automation platform that makes that possible.
We are looking for an exceptional engineering leader to take departmental leadership of the teams developing our core technology platform.
Reporting directly to the COO, you will lead through the leaders of Software, Hardware, Robotics and Integration.
You will work as a peer to our Head of Product and Application Development, Head of Operations and Head of Customer Delivery.
This is one of our most consequential leadership hires.
We have talented people, ambitious technology and demanding customer programmes.
Your impact will be measured in clarity, pace and follow-through: aligning specialists around a small number of priorities, closing decisions, removing barriers and building an engineering organisation that delivers without relying on heroics .
Few engineering leadership roles combine this breadth of technology, organisational influence and human purpose.
You will shape both the core platform and the engineering capability behind a new model of cell therapy manufacturing, with direct access to senior leadership and the scope to make a visible difference quickly.
Job Description
This role is key in an important phase of growth for Cellular Origins, with authority over mission critical decisions and chance to have real organisation impact.
Cellular Origins has established an Engineering Department to provide the professional homes in which capability, standards and careers are built.
Cross-departmental programmes bring those capabilities together around product developments and customer outcomes.
You will own the Platform Engineering capability.
Your mandate spans Engineering strategy and execution: best practice, appropriate process, resources, skills, leadership development and succession.
Working alongside those leading Product and Application Development, Customer Delivery and Operations, you will meet urgent programme needs without compromising platform coherence, reliability or scalability.
What you will own
This is a hands-on organisational leadership role.
You will get close enough to the work to understand what is really happening, ask incisive questions, resolve ambiguity, remove barriers and make sure decisions turn into action.
You will need the breadth and judgement to lead experienced specialists and close cross-disciplinary decisions.
- Set direction and priorities.
Translate company and product strategy into a clear platform-engineering strategy, a prioritised roadmap, and credible investment, capacity and resource choices.
- Leadership.
Lead and develop the team leaders for software, hardware, electronics and firmware, robotics and systems integration.
Set clear expectations, establish accountability, give direct feedback and build a strong succession plans.
- Drive delivery. Make priorities visible, demand realistic plans, use meaningful measures, surface risk early, resolve blockers and intervene decisively where work is drifting.
- Set engineering standards.
Establish and continually improve the practices needed to engineer complex systems well, including architecture, design review, integration, verification and validation, configuration and change control, reliability, maintainability and lifecycle support.
- Protect and evolve the platform.
Assure the coherence of the core technology platform and the quality of major technical decisions.
Balance immediate customer needs with reuse, modularity, technical debt, product integrity and long-term scale.
- Make the matrix work.
Partner with the Head of Product and Application Development to turn product and application priorities into executable platform plans; with Customer Delivery leadership on commitments, sequencing and resource trade-offs; and with Operations leadership on design for manufacture, supply, installation, service and support.
- Represent platform engineering externally.
Lead critical technical conversations with customers, partners and suppliers, building confidence through clarity, sound judgement and reliable delivery.
- Build future capability.
Work with others to evolve the department to meet the needs of the business, creating talent plans, skill strategy, professional development, knowledge sharing and succession so the department is ready for the next stage of the business.
Qualifications
- Leadership.
Proven experience leading a substantial multidisciplinary engineering department through senior managers or discipline leaders, with clear evidence of improving delivery and organisational performance through coaching, setting a high bar, handling performance directly, shaping organisations, hiring well and building skills and succession.
- Relevant system complexity.
Experience taking integrated automation, robotics, electromechanical systems or other complex capital equipment from concept through integration, deployment and support.
- Technical breadth and systems judgement.
Credibility across software, embedded systems, electronics, hardware, controls, robotics and integration; able to challenge experts and close cross-disciplinary decisions .
- A platform mindset.
Experience balancing architecture, modularity, reuse, technical debt and lifecycle needs with the immediate demands of products, applications and customer programmes.
- Engineering rigour. A practical command of quality, safety, design assurance, verification and validation, configuration and change, reliability and continuous improvement.
- Commercial and customer judgement.
The ability to balance scope, cost, resources, timescales and technical risk, and to represent engineering credibly with customers, partners and suppliers.
- Clear communication and influence.
The ability to create alignment across technical and non-technical groups, explain complex choices simply and build confidence with senior stakeholders.
- Useful context, not a narrow pedigree.
Experience in a regulated, safety‑critical or high‑reliability environment would be valuable.
Life sciences or GMP experience is helpful but not essential.
The leadership style we value
You listen widely, then decide.
You are direct, fair, calm under pressure and low ego.
You stay close enough to delivery to see reality and remove blockers, but you build leaders and systems that do not depend on you for every answer.
You are proactive, curious and relentless about follow-through.
Additional Information
Cellular Origins is based at Melbourn Science Park, just 10 miles south of Cambridge.
Our newly renovated premises offer modern office, laboratory and engineering spaces, surrounded by green spaces.
We foster an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, where ideas are encouraged, innovation thrives, and everyone has the freedom to do their best work.
Our employee benefits include
- Annual bonus
- 25 days holiday
- Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary
- Private medical insurance for employees and dependants
- Subsidised lunches
- Enhanced family friendly leave
- Life insurance worth 6x salary
- Electric car leasing scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Platform Engineering in Melbourn employer: TTP plc
TTP plc is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and entrepreneurial work culture, ideal for innovative Mechanical Design Engineers looking to make a significant impact in the Energy & Process Technologies sector. Located near Cambridge, employees benefit from a vibrant tech community, ample opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that challenge and inspire creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Platform Engineering in Melbourn
✨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 Head of Platform Engineering role you’re after at TTP plc.
✨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 TTP plc 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 TTP plc.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Head of Platform Engineering at TTP plc, 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 Head of Platform Engineering in Melbourn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Platform Engineering, 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 TTP plc 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 TTP plc 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 TTP plc
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with TTP plc, 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 TTP plc 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.
