Job Title: Senior R&D Manager – Electronics
Location: Durham
Salary: £80-£100K
I'm working with a well‑established international engineering manufacturer that designs and supplies high‑reliability electronic products used in safety‑critical and regulated environments worldwide .
This is a business with deep UK engineering roots, a strong global customer footprint, and a reputation built on precision, robustness, and compliance. Products are developed in‑house and deployed into environments where failure is not an option and regulatory scrutiny is high.
They are now looking to appoint a senior UK‑based R&D Manager to take ownership of engineering delivery. This role sits at the centre of how products are developed, maintained, and kept compliant across their lifecycle.
The Role in Simple Terms
This role owns:
UK electronics R&D delivery
Existing product support and evolution
Regulatory and certification performance
Engineering team output and discipline
It is not a pure strategy or architecture role.
The business is looking for someone who enjoys being close to engineering delivery, understands regulated electronic products, and can balance new development with lifecycle support and compliance.
You will work closely with global R&D leadership while maintaining clear ownership of UK execution.
Core Responsibilities
End‑to‑end accountability for UK electronics R&D delivery
Leadership of multidisciplinary electronics and compliance teams
Oversight of NPD, sustaining and obsolescence
Ownership of product compliance and certification
Ensuring products remain compliant throughout their lifecycle
Improving delivery predictability, throughput, and execution discipline
Management of selected external engineering partners where appropriate
What They're Looking For
Proven experience managing electronics R&D teams
Strong track record of delivering complex engineering programmes
Background in electronics, embedded systems, or hardware‑led products
Practical experience with certification, compliance, or safety‑critical development
Comfortable owning both leadership and delivery detail
Structured, pragmatic, and accountable leadership style
Why Senior Candidates Engage
Clear ownership without inflated titles
Real impact on new product development and products already in the field
Balance of leadership and hands‑on influence
Long‑lifecycle products where engineering quality matters
International scope without constant travel
Who This Suits
An experienced electronics R&D manager who:
Prioritises delivery over theory
Enjoys improving how engineering actually operates
Views compliance as part of good engineering practice
Wants a senior role with substance, not noise
Interested?
If this role aligns with your background, I'd welcome a conversation.
Equally, if you're not actively on the market but the scope, ownership, and focus on delivery resonate, I'm very open to a confidential, exploratory conversation .
Many senior candidates I speak to are happy in their current roles but curious about opportunities with genuine substance and impact - this is firmly in that category.
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