Research And Development Specialist in Sunderland

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Permanent role from day one
• Newcastle location
• Potential to move hybrid after successful probation
• Negotiable salary depending on experience
• Negotiable benefits package depending on experience
• Opportunity to work for a thriving business

THE BUSINESS

A client is a general market leader within their discipline of electrical engineering/manufacturing. Westray Recruitment Group is seeking to recruit an experienced R&D Manager to work within their thriving manufacturing location based in Newcastle upon Tyne. This is a key role for the business, and the role holder will be part of the global leadership team and will manage all aspects of stage gate process for new products from project initiation, concept design through to final design, testing and launch. The additional aspects of the role will include technical support, research and development.

There are four dimensions to this role:

• Developing and implementing product roadmaps
• Designing product for manufacture and optimizing costs
• Product/lab qualification and certification
• Providing technical support

THE ROLE

• Strategic product roadmap for the business – Development and Implementation
• Tactical technical execution plan for the business – Development and Implementation
• Drive product development and other technical activities in line with monthly targets
• Product verification testing in line with compliance required
• Technical support for existing product lines
• R&D lab qualification and certification in line with compliance required
• Collaboration with sales and operations team across sites to address any compliance and/or quality issues
• Identifying and researching on technical market trends and gaps in close collaboration with sales and marketing teams
• Designing the concept to meet technical, legal and commercial requirements
• Adopting design for manufacture, value engineering and design-to-cost concepts
• Creating intellectual property as part of design and enabling product differentiation
• Product bills of material development, drawings office control and design change control
• Product development via proven product life cycle methodologies (agile will be beneficial) and stage gate processes
• Working to technical standards and preparation for product qualification (Type testing including internal tests and external type tests in qualified labs for verification/validation of the product)
• Robust management of projects including budgets, timelines, stakeholders, risk management and associated support activities
• Activities to manage include product development, lab upgrade and procurement of new equipment/infrastructure, new product supply chain support etc.
• Running an accredited test laboratory
• Assisting sales team with tenders and product justification
• Capital expenditure – planning and justifying the expense
• Dealing with sub-contractors/service providers
• Actively participate in trade Association and technical Activities (e.g., BEAMA & BSI)
• Actively participate in BSI, EN and International (IEC) standardisation activities
• Hosting of Audits for department/lab and factory
• Technical Support to operations and quality team
• Collaboration with universities on material analysis
• Preparation of management documents, departmental targets, and board reports
• Work closely with sales on product launch activities including technical marketing, whitepapers, masterclasses etc.
• Recruit, mentor, train and grow a robust product development team

THE PERSON

This role requires an outstanding technical leader, communicator and exceptional team player with good project management skills who can lead and inspire the wider team. We are looking for someone from an electrical/mechanical/material science background with a successful track record of product development and launch.

• 15+ years’ experience within technical roles
• Preferably 3 to 5 years’ experience as a R&D Manager, Engineering Manager, Lead Engineer and/or supervisory or lead position
• Experience in working in a manufacturing environment, especially electrical circuit protection would be a major advantage
• Experience in working in low voltage and medium voltage components
• Education: Ideal candidate will have an engineering qualification preferably a master’s degree in relevant discipline
• Technical background – Electrical, mechanical and/or material experience
• Material experience includes sand (silica/quartz), ceramics, copper, silver, brass, insulation materials, moulded plastics etc.
• Experience of learning and understanding new technical concepts
• Experience of working to technical IEC/BS standards (option - UL)
• Good understanding of general compliance – CE / UKCA marking requirements
• Running an accredited test laboratory and experience in laboratory techniques
• Excellent interpersonal and business communication skills
• High level of initiative with the ability to self-motivate
• Works well independently and in team settings
• Good written and spoken English
• Ability to travel around the UK & globally
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills
• Experience in collaborating with global cross-cultural teams
• Strong computer skills with high level of proficiency in Microsoft office and other related business systems
• Exposure to modelling tools will be helpful (e.g., solidworks, Ansys etc.)

TO APPLY

Please send your updated CV to Tony Hutchinson or apply direct by calling Westray Recruitment Group.