Job Description
The ClientMy client is a leading international technology manufacturer headquartered in County Durham and is looking for a people-driven Head of R&D to lead best-in-class NPD delivery. This is a highly hands-on role, focused on execution, product lifecycle excellence and compliance - not strategic R&D oversight or architectural ownershipAbout the RoleReporting to the Global Head of R&D, the Head of R&D will drive high-quality, on-time product development and sustaining engineering across the business unit portfolio, with full accountability for product compliance to all relevant standards and regulations.Leading UK-based engineering and product compliance teams, the role works closely with European R&D leadership to align priorities, accelerate execution, and deliver consistently strong performance across sites.Main ResponsibilitiesEngineering Delivery & ExecutionOwn delivery of UK-based engineering projects (scope, timeline, quality)Drive predictable execution through structured planning, tracking, and accountabilityAlign engineering capacity with project priorities and business needsEstablish and manage delivery KPIs (cycle time, on-time delivery, throughput)Product Lifecycle & Sustaining EngineeringOwn engineering support for the existing product portfolio, including:Obsolescence-driven redesignsCost optimisation and component changesRegulatory and standards-driven updatesEnsure continuity of supply and product competitivenessBalance new product development and sustaining engineering activitiesProduct Compliance LeadershipLead the Product Compliance team within R&DEnsure all products meet relevant regulatory, safety, and certification requirementsMaintain alignment with applicable standards (e.g. IEC, ISO, regional compliance requirements)Work closely with engineering teams to embed compliance early in developmentSupport certification, audits, and regulatory approvalsTeam Leadership & Capability BuildingLead and develop UK-based engineering and compliance teamsBuild a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvementStrengthen technical and delivery leadership within the teamEnsure effective resource utilisation and capability developmentCross-Site CollaborationWork closely with European-based R&D leadership and engineering teams to ensure aligned priorities and coordinated executionSupport a unified development model across UK and EuropeContribute to a cohesive, high-performing engineering organisation across locationsExternal Development IntegrationIntegrate external development partners to increase engineering capacity and speedDefine clear scopes, interfaces, and deliverablesEnsure quality and timely delivery from external partnersProcess & Performance ImprovementImprove engineering efficiency, reducing development cycle time and reworkImplement pragmatic, scalable development processes (Agile / hybrid)Ensure clear visibility of delivery performance, risks, and dependenciesProactively remove technical and organisational blockersAbout YouTobe considered for the role, it is essential that you possess demonstrable experience and strength in theleading of engineering teams and NPD, in the electronics, testing & measurement, safety or instrumentation product sectors.
You will also be degree qualified in an appropriate discipline.Key Selection CriteriaFamiliarity with platform-based product architecturesStrong track record of delivering complex engineering projects on time and to quality targetsExperience in multidisciplinary engineering (hardware, embedded software, systems)Experience managing product compliance, certification, or regulatory activitiesExperience working across multiple locations or distributed teamsExperience working with external development partners or outsourced engineering modelsStrong execution focus with ability to deliver results through teamsStructured, data-driven approach to problem solvingAbility to manage complexity and competing prioritiesClear and effective communication across technical and non-technical stakeholdersPragmatic, delivery-oriented mindset with high accountabilityCollaborative leadership style with ability to influence across locationsTPBN1_UKTJ