Head of Engineering and Design
Head of Engineering and Design

Head of Engineering and Design

Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product development from concept to market, ensuring technical excellence and innovative design.
  • Company: Join Zima Dental, a fast-growing disruptor in the dental care industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, pension scheme, and ongoing learning support.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovation in consumer electronics and shape the future of dental care.
  • Qualifications: 7-10+ years in consumer electronics, with strong engineering and design expertise.
  • Other info: Dynamic culture with opportunities for career advancement and team leadership.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

About Zima Dental: Launched in 2020, Zima Dental is transforming the at-home consumer dental industry. Our innovative hero product, the Dental Pod, has revolutionised how people clean oral appliances, selling in over 40 countries and winning Dental Product of The Year 2024 & 2025. As one of the UK's fastest-growing businesses, we foster a dynamic, ambitious culture, and we are a committed team challenging assumptions in the oral appliance market and beyond.

The Role: We are looking for our first Head of Product Engineering who can bridge the gap between high-level industrial design and complex technical engineering. We need a leader who can mirror the aesthetic excellence of global design giants while acting as the technical guardian of our products. You will own the entire product journey, from "blue-sky" problem framing to high-fidelity manufacturing handoff and deep technical reviews, establishing our internal engineering capabilities ensuring our products remain the global gold standard for innovation and reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

  • End-to-End Product Ownership: Lead the concurrent development of multiple products from concept to commercialisation, including continuous improvement and development of our next-gen innovative products. Balancing speed-to-market with absolute technical integrity.
  • Electro-Mechanical Architecture: Full technical ownership of the product architecture. You will not just own the mechanical enclosure, but also architect the system integration of PCBs, firmware logic, and power management. You must be able to scrutinise electrical BOMs, manage external EE partners, and ensure hardware and software work in harmony.
  • Supplier Technical Authority: Act as the technical auditor for external manufacturers. You will hold factories accountable - rigorously auditing their engineering proposals, validating their testing protocols and signing off production.
  • Design for Manufacturing: Utilise iterative prototyping and DFM principles to optimise product performance. You will identify cost-saving initiatives and margin improvements without compromising the efficacy or durability of the device.
  • System Ownership: Operate within and continuously improve on ISO-certified design and development systems, ensuring all documentation and engineering audits meet rigorous medical device standards (ISO 13485).
  • Strategic Market Insights: Lead quarterly market scans, proactive Post-Market Surveillance processes, and detailed product teardowns to maintain our competitive edge.
  • Innovation Roadmap: Present category innovations that will define Zima’s product trajectory for the next 3+ years, and contribute to Zima’s growing IP portfolio.

About You:

  • Consumer Electronics Expert: 7-10+ years of experience delivering high-impact, design-centric consumer electronic products.
  • Technically Grounded Leader: You hold an MEng or BEng in Engineering and are an expert in CAD and systems engineering.
  • Agile & Results-Driven: You thrive in agile environments (Scrum/Kanban) and understand that speed builds momentum - challenging timelines and constraints as firmly as you challenge costs.
  • Growth-minded: You want to build and lead a team of designers and engineers, pushing the boundaries of innovation while ensuring product-market fit and customer-centricity. Other than leadership, there are other opportunities for growth in this role, including establishing more mature R&D infrastructure, product expansions into new categories, and even transforming our supply & manufacturing strategy.

Additional Preferred Skills:

  • Advanced Hardware Expertise: Deep specialisation in electromechanical related hardware.
  • Leadership Experience: Prior experience as a people manager, capable of mentoring emerging talent and hiring technical teams.
  • Global Manufacturing Experience: Proven track record of coordinating production with Asian manufacturing partners, including on-site factory visits and supplier management.
  • Dual-Depth: Equal strength and depth of expertise in both engineering and design disciplines. For example, an additional educational qualification in Industrial Design.

Location: London (Office-focused, with some flexibility for Hybrid)

Salary: Competitive with significant growth-based incentives.

28 days holiday (excluding bank holidays). Company pension. Cycle to Work scheme. Ongoing learning and development support. Exciting company events and learning opportunities. Direct collaboration with senior leaders and opportunities for fast career advancement.

This is Zima Dental: Zima Dental has successfully disrupted the dental care industry traditionally dominated by slow-moving conglomerates. Leveraging modern marketing, cutting-edge product innovation, and dynamic distribution channels, we’ve rapidly grown to become a recognised industry leader. With an ambitious roadmap, we’re dedicated not just to participating in the future of dental care, but actively defining it.

Ready to Drive Innovation & Safety at Zima Dental? We are excited to welcome a visionary leader who is passionate about making design-centric and technically robust products. If you are ready to own the physics as much as the aesthetics, we’d love to hear from you!

Head of Engineering and Design employer: Zima Dental

Zima Dental is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and ambitious work culture that encourages innovation and personal growth. Located in London, we provide our employees with competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for professional development, all while being part of a rapidly growing company that is redefining the dental care industry. Join us to collaborate directly with senior leaders and drive meaningful change in a dynamic environment where your contributions truly matter.
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Contact Detail:

Zima Dental Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering and Design

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Zima Dental and its products. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your skills through a portfolio or case studies. If you’ve worked on relevant projects, bring them to the table during interviews. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in product engineering and design!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Zima Dental team.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering and Design

End-to-End Product Ownership
Electro-Mechanical Architecture
Supplier Technical Authority
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
ISO 13485 Compliance
Consumer Electronics Expertise
CAD Proficiency
Agile Methodologies (Scrum/Kanban)
Leadership and Team Building
Advanced Hardware Expertise
Global Manufacturing Coordination
Dual-Depth Expertise in Engineering and Design
Market Analysis and Insights
Innovation Roadmapping

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about transforming the dental industry and leading innovative product development.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in consumer electronics and engineering. We’re looking for someone who can bridge design and technical aspects, so be specific about how your background aligns with our needs.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Head of Engineering and Design role.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Zima Dental.

How to prepare for a job interview at Zima Dental

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of consumer electronics and the specific technologies relevant to Zima Dental's products. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in product engineering and design, especially any projects that showcase your ability to bridge the gap between aesthetics and technical integrity.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a potential Head of Engineering and Design, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, mentored talent, and driven innovation in previous roles. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment while pushing for results.

✨Understand the Market

Familiarise yourself with the dental care industry and Zima Dental's position within it. Be prepared to discuss market trends, competitor analysis, and how you can contribute to maintaining their competitive edge. Showing that you have insights into the market will set you apart.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face technical questions related to electro-mechanical architecture and design for manufacturing principles. Brush up on your CAD skills and be ready to discuss how you would approach system integration and supplier management. Demonstrating your technical expertise will reassure them that you can handle the complexities of the role.

Head of Engineering and Design
Zima Dental

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