Job Description
Senior Technical Manager – R&D & Manufacturing (Low Voltage Battery Systems)
Salary
£60,000 – £70,000 per annum (DOE)
Overview
Hands-on Senior Technical Manager required to lead engineering, R&D, and operations in a specialist UK manufacturer of 12V/24V battery chargers, power supplies, and bespoke solutions for automotive, telecoms, and industrial sectors.
This is a key role combining technical leadership, product development, and operational improvement within a small SME environment.
Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
* Act as technical authority for electronics design and product architecture
* Lead development of SMPS, DC-DC converters, and charging systems
* Ensure compliance with CE/UKCA and automotive standards
* Support prototypes, design reviews, and troubleshooting
Product Development
* Own and deliver product roadmap aligned to growth plans
* Drive innovation, cost reduction, and performance improvement
* Translate customer needs into engineering specifications
* Support bespoke and OEM product development
Manufacturing & Operations
* Oversee full lifecycle from concept to low-volume production
* Improve build, test, and quality processes
* Lead root cause analysis for defects and returns
* Manage suppliers and support service/repair processes
Team Leadership
* Lead and mentor small R&D team (incl. succession planning)
* Build capability through recruitment, training, and documentation
* Support manufacturing teams and foster continuous improvement
Compliance
* Ensure adherence to regulatory and automotive standards
* Maintain design, validation, and change control documentation
Requirements
Essential:
* Strong background in automotive electronics & battery systems
* Experience with power electronics and charging systems
* Knowledge of EMC, testing, and product validation
* Leadership experience in engineering or manufacturing
* Proven delivery from concept through to production
Desirable:
* SME or low-volume manufacturing experience
* Hands-on approach to prototyping and problem solving
* Continuous improvement mindset
Working Hours
38 hours per week:
* Mon–Thurs: 8:00am – 5:00pm (30 min unpaid lunch)
* Friday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Benefits
* Subsidised Private Health Insurance (after 12 months)
* Workplace pension
* Life assurance