Engineering Manager

VAT GROUP; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT GROUP in the UK is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead regional growth initiatives and manage a team of application engineers. The role focuses on delivering innovative solutions and driving market expansion.

Applicants should have a degree in a relevant field and at least 8 years of experience in the vacuum industry, with strong communication skills required. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to VAT's customer-focused strategies and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in the vacuum industry.
• Hands-on experience in semiconductor fabrication with knowledge of process technologies.
• Formal training in negotiation and leadership is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Field Application Engineers.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to align strategies with business objectives.
• Provide expert technical support for VAT's products.

Skills

Customer development

Technical sales support

Team management

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in Microelectronics, Instrumentation, Applied Optics, or Engineering Physics

Job description

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions for integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Location: Warwickshire, GB; Burkau, DE. Employment Type: Permanent.

Engineering Manager

Lead and manage regional growth initiatives by coordinating a team of application engineers and collaborating closely with key account managers. Your mission is to deliver innovative solutions to both existing and new VAT customers, driving technical excellence and market expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Field Application Engineers across the EU and RoW region, fostering technical excellence and customer focus.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration between engineering, sales, and product teams to align regional strategies with global business objectives.
• Provide expert technical support for VAT's products and their applications to enable sales growth across the region.
• Develop and manage technical specifications and strategies for VAT's products.
• Identify and pursue revenue growth opportunities in both VAT core and adjacent markets.
• Support and guide field sales engineers in developing effective account penetration strategies.
• Monitor competitor activities and customer trends, delivering actionable business intelligence to VAT leadership.
• Ensure all customer interactions and insights are accurately documented in the VAT CRM system.
• Actively contribute to the sales pipeline by supporting field sales engineers in customer engagements and opportunity development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in the vacuum industry.
• Degree in Microelectronics, Instrumentation, Applied Optics, or Engineering Physics (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Dual Degree, or PhD from a top-tier institution).
• Additional qualifications in Business Administration or strong business acumen are highly desirable.
• Proven experience in customer development and technical sales support.
• Hands‑on experience in semiconductor fabrication, with detailed knowledge of layer‑wise materials, process technologies, and performance optimisation.
• Strong communication skills in English (written and spoken); German language proficiency is an advantage.
• Formal training in negotiation, leadership, and team management is a plus.

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.