Purpose
The Technical Solutions Manager is the segment's principal design and engineering authority, responsible for the full technical lifecycle of solutions delivered by Stark's Project Services business. The role leads the Technical Solutions tower - a team of 11 specialists spanning design engineering, product support, and technical coordination, and sets the engineering standard for everything the segment designs, builds, and maintains.
Responsibilities & Accountabilities
Engineering Leadership & Design Authority:
* Act as principal design authority for all solutions provided by Project Services - metering systems, settlement and operational solutions, G99, and upgrades to installed base assets.
* Develop, implement, and continuously improve engineering guidelines, design policies, and processes that embed quality, consistency, and efficiency across all delivery towers.
* Own and maintain the standard design library - the segment's central repository of approved design templates, component specifications, and solution architectures. Drive adoption of design-once, build-many principles to scale capacity.
* Act as the final technical authority on design decisions, exception handling, and customer-specific engineering challenges escalated from the wider team.
* Work closely with the Project Delivery Manager and Workshop & Field Manager to ensure design outputs are buildable, testable, and commissionable within planned time and cost.
Product Development Roadmap:
* Own the technical roadmap for the segment's proprietary product programmes.
* Oversee evaluation of potential new products or technologies, ensuring all functional, safety, and compliance requirements are assessed before any commitment is made.
* Keep current with emerging technologies relevant to the segment's market - including IEC 61850, PMU, power quality monitoring, and grid code developments under ENA - and embed relevant advances into products and service offerings.
Pre-Sales Technical Support:
* Provide technical input to proposals, and customer solution definition - working directly with the Head of Sales and Head of Project Services to support the commercial pipeline.
* Own the technical accuracy and credibility of solution specifications presented to customers at tender stage.
* Lead or support technical customer conversations where engineering depth and design authority are required.
* Contribute to the segment's commercial materials programme ensuring content is accurate, current, and aligned to the Stark brand.
Team Leadership & Development:
* Lead, manage, and develop the Technical Solutions tower - set clear objectives, conduct regular one-to-ones, manage performance, and support career progression.
* Put appropriate succession plans in place for key roles within the tower.
* Coach and mentor team members to deliver required objectives; maintain a culture of technical excellence, documentation discipline, and continuous improvement.
* Work closely with the Segment Operations Manager / PMO to plan and allocate Technical Solutions resources to projects and other business unit activities.
Cybersecurity & Compliance:
* Lead the IEC 62443 cybersecurity gap assessment within the Technical Solutions tower and provide technical input to the segment's wider cybersecurity compliance roadmap.
* Maintain working knowledge of Cybersecurity / Products and Solutions Security (PSS) standards and ensure they are embedded in product design and solution architecture.
* Ensure UKCA compliance for all products and solutions within the tower's remit.
* Adhere to all Stark policies, procedures, and management system requirements; proactively identify and escalate compliance risks.
Strategic Contribution:
* Support the Head of Project Services in delivery of segment's business plan; contribute technical insight to annual planning, market development, and investment decisions.
* Act as a credible technical voice with customers, industry bodies, and Stark group stakeholders where engineering authority is required.
* Participate in regular training and learning activities to maintain and develop skills and knowledge.
* Any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of Project Services.
Person Specification, Competencies & Skills
Technical Skills & Knowledge
* Strong background in electronics, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline - ideally in a product development or systems engineering environment.
* Good understanding of the electricity supply industry, grid infrastructure, and how transmission and distribution metering systems work.
* Solid understanding of high accuracy metering solutions, including electrical schematics, instrumentation, test procedures, and compliance requirements.
* Familiarity with network communications, 4G/LTE solutions, dynamic system monitoring, power quality instrumentation, and G99 generation connection requirements.
* Solid understanding of product safety standards including UKCA compliance.
* Working knowledge of Cybersecurity / Products and Solutions Security (PSS); awareness of IEC 62443 (desirable).
* Awareness of IEC 61850 and its implications for grid-connected solutions (desirable).
* UKAS ISO 17025 management experience - in a senior supporting role (desirable).
Leadership Style:
* Successfully demonstrate inspirational people management skills through improved team performance and achievement of team objectives.
* Actively listen to other viewpoints, involve them in decision making and encourage team members to take responsibility.
* Ensure the team understands the importance of their jobs in relation to Stark's success and what is expected of them.
* Celebrate team success, regularly praise achievement.
* Ensure the effective development of Team Members; complete effective evaluation of all learning events against the achievement of business objectives
* Project an assertive, motivational style with a high degree of personal impact which wins people's respect.
* Comfortable making decisions and solving problems under pressure; knows when to decide and when to escalate.
Commercial Acumen:
* Strong commercial awareness; understands the relationship between design decisions, build cost, and margin.
* Able to contribute credibly to tender and proposal activity; understands what customers are buying and what good looks like commercially.
* Aware of product investment cycles, make vs. buy decisions, and how product development roadmaps connect to revenue and differentiation.
* Comfortable with making decisions and problem-solving under pressure.
Apply today. Successful candidates will hear from us within 10 days.
Stark Group are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to a working environment that is free from all types of discrimination, is inclusive, champions diversity and empowers our people so that everyone can bring their whole self to work and is valued for their specific skills, experience, and vision. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, creating a progressive, open, and inclusive workplace.