R&D Engineering Manager

Bluefors Oy; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluefors Oy in Helsinki is seeking an experienced R&D Engineering Manager to lead a growing team of mechanical and electrical engineers, guiding projects from concept through industrialization to volume production. You will set goals, provide feedback, and foster a high-performing culture while coordinating with Research, Custom Solutions, and manufacturing teams.

The role emphasizes agile yet systematic processes, cost awareness, and continuous improvement in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in mechanical engineering or closely related field.
• At least 6 years of mechanical design and engineering experience with complex hardware.
• People-first leadership mindset and desire to grow as a leader.
• Fluency in English; strong communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of mechanical and electrical engineers as their line manager.
• Set clear goals for the team and individuals, follow up on progress, and provide constructive feedback.
• Motivate and engage the team, and build a high-performing, continuously improving team culture.
• Manage performance, including addressing underperformance and taking corrective actions.
• Participate in resource planning, capacity management, and recruitment; lead hiring and onboarding.
• Ensure long-term competence development in line with business needs.
• Drive productization projects from concept to volume production with alignment and leadership.
• Develop engineering processes to keep Agile while transitioning to volume production.
• Collaborate with Research, Custom Solutions, project managers, product management, manufacturing, and quality.

Skills

People leadership

Mechanical design

Engineering lifecycles

English fluency

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc. in mechanical engineering

Tools

PDM

PLM

ERP

Job description

At Bluefors, we're enabling breakthroughs in quantum technology and scientific research through the world's leading cryogenic measurement systems and dilution refrigerators. Our solutions are trusted by researchers, universities, and quantum computing companies around the globe.

Our Systems & Options engineering team turns new technologies into products. Building on concepts developed by our Research team, the team is primarily responsible for productizing new products in the Systems and Options product families, taking them through detailed design and industrialization to launch into volume production. The team includes mechanical and electrical engineers. It works closely with our Research team and our Custom Solutions Engineering team, as well as with product management, manufacturing, quality, and other stakeholders.

We are looking for an R&D Engineering Manager who is first and foremost a people leader. This role is about leading and managing people: setting direction, building a team where skilled engineers can do their best work, and making sure the team delivers. The team is growing, and you should be ready and motivated to lead a large engineering team. The position reports to the Director, Systems & Options, and is part of Bluefors' Product Development organization.

We work with low hierarchy and short decision paths, and we move fast. Bluefors is growing rapidly. Agility is essential, but so is a systematic, repeatable way of bringing new products into volume production. Building ways of working that achieve both is a central part of this role.

We offer you an interesting, challenging, and responsible position, supported by a highly skilled and growing organization. It's an excellent opportunity for professional growth in a dynamic, enthusiastic, and professional team where we work together and support each other. Our working environment is multicultural and leaves room to grow, so you can use your full potential and keep developing your skills.

Main responsibilities:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of mechanical and electrical engineers as their line manager
• Set clear goals for the team and for individuals, follow up on progress, and give regular, constructive feedback
• Motivate and engage the team, and build a collaborative, high-performing, and continuously improving team culture
• Manage performance, including addressing underperformance and taking corrective and disciplinary measures when needed
• Participate in resource planning, capacity management, and recruitment, and lead hiring and onboarding for your team
• Ensure long-term competence development in line with business needs
• Ensure effective execution of productization projects, from Research concept to volume production, through prioritization, alignment, and organizational leadership
• Develop engineering processes and ways of working that keep us agile while ensuring a systematic transition from new product to volume production
• Collaborate closely with the Research and Custom Solutions Engineering teams, project managers, product management, manufacturing, quality, and other stakeholders
• Follow up and report on team output, quality, and deviations
• Contribute to cost center budget planning and take responsibility for following up on actual figures

What we expect from you

• B.Sc. or M.Sc. in mechanical engineering or a closely related field
• At least 6 years of experience in mechanical design and engineering of complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware products
• A people-first leadership mindset and a genuine drive to grow as a leader and manager
• Readiness and ambition to lead a large and growing team
• Strong understanding of product development and engineering lifecycles, from concept to industrialization and volume production
• Agility and comfort with change, plus the ability to balance speed with structure in a fast-growing, low-hierarchy organization
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational management
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and conflict resolution skills
• Fluency in English

We also appreciate

• Experience in line management or team leadership of engineering teams
• Experience in cryogenics, vacuum technology, scientific instrumentation, or other complex engineering environments
• Familiarity with PDM (Product Data Management), PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems
• Experience building or scaling engineering teams during periods of rapid growth
• A passion for creating environments where engineers can innovate, collaborate, and perform at their best

For more information, please contact our Director, Systems & Options, Tomi Elovaara via email: [e-mail]