Engineering Manager - Electronics

SPT Labtech; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Generous pension plan

Job summary

SPT Labtech in Cambridge is seeking an Engineering Manager to own electronics design, motion control and low-level system integration. You will lead and develop an engineering team while remaining hands-on in architecture and problem‑solving, collaborating closely with software and mechanical groups to deliver precise, reliable control of complex electromechanical lab instruments.

The role requires senior electronics expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to translate technical directions

Qualifications

• Degree in Electronics Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Experience in electronics design, motion control and embedded systems.

Responsibilities

• Establish and develop the Electronics and Motion Control R&D team including recruitment and development of team members.
• Act as the authority for electronics design and motion control across the product range.
• Define and maintain architecture for electronics and control systems in alignment with software and mechanical teams.
• Lead system-level design decisions to support performance and reliability.
• Provide hands-on circuit design, PCB reviews, debugging, and hardware evaluation.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, QA and service to ensure robust product launches.

Skills

Electronics

Motion control

Embedded systems

Systems integration

Leadership

Team management

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Electronics Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng) status advantageous

Tools

PCB design

Hardware debugging

Circuit testing

Job description

Do you want to drive the electronics vision behind cutting-edge laboratory automation as Engineering Manager in the Electronics team at SPT Labtech? You will own technical authority across electronics, motion control, and low-level system integration, while leading and developing a high-performing engineering team. Remaining hands‑on in design, architecture, and problem‑solving, you will work closely with software and mechanical teams to deliver precise, reliable, high-performance control of complex electromechanical systems.

This role suits a senior engineer with deep electronics and embedded systems expertise, strong motion-control capability, and the ability to solve complex technical challenges while collaborating effectively across disciplines.

About us:

Based in Cambridge, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For decades, our expert scientists, engineers and business innovators have provided scientists with world‑leading, innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health. We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalised experiences designed for real‑world challenges in the lab.

Want to be part of a team that's truly making a difference?

Your key responsibilities will include:

Team & Organisation

• Establish and develop the Electronics and Motion Control R&D team including recruitment, performance management and development of team members, ensuring development projects are provided with the engineering resources they require.
• Monitor technology trends and ensure the team has the capabilities needed to deliver in relevant areas.

Technical Leadership

• Act as the authority for electronics design and motion control across the full product range.
• Define and maintain architecture for electronics and control systems, ensuring alignment with software, firmware, and mechanical teams.
• Take a system‑level view of design decisions, ensuring electronics and motion‑control choices support overall product architecture, performance, and reliability.
• Lead motion‑control strategy, providing direction on actuator requirements, drive‑system architecture, and motion‑control approaches that integrate cleanly into the wider system.
• Provide strong technical input on embedded system design, hardware‑software interfaces, and low‑level integration, working collaboratively with firmware and software engineers.
• Offer hands‑on expertise in circuit design, PCB reviews, hardware debugging, instrumentation, and evaluation of electromechanical control behaviour.
• Oversee obsolescence management and sustaining engineering for existing products.

Leadership & Management

• Plan, execute, and coordinate the day‑to‑day activities of the team while providing input into longer‑term departmental planning.

Partnering & Networking

• Build alignment and influence across teams through clear communication and reasoning.
• Partner with R&D Management to implement strategic direction.
• Support Manufacturing, Service, and other areas of the business in resolving technical issues.

Collaborative Engineering

• Engage with manufacturing, quality, and service teams to ensure robust product introduction and sustained field performance.
• Coordinate activities of partners and service providers in order to obtain services, supplies, and equipment in collaboration with Purchasing.

Mentoring & Coaching

• Provide technical direction and best‑practice guidance to team members. Mentor, coach, and develop team members, nurturing technical skills and supporting career growth.

Problem Solving

• Resolve differing engineering problems by drawing on acquired electronics and motion‑control expertise to identify and select the best solution.
• Undertake a hands‑on approach to design and development from concept through to implementation and market launch.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Adopt an integrated quality and stage‑gate process to ensure excellence in product development and post‑launch support activities.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge on relevant international standards and recommend changes to engineering practice or project lifecycles to ensure compliance (ISO 9001, IEC 61010, Machinery Regulation, EMC Directive, Low Voltage Directive, Cyber Resilience Act).

Skills & Attributes

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electronics Engineering or a related discipline. Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or working towards it, is advantageous.

Technical Knowledge

• Applied knowledge of Electronics, Motion Control, and Systems Integration in automated laboratory instrumentation.
• Track record of timely design and development of new products successfully launched in the market.

Standards

• Working knowledge and/or appreciation of ISO 9001, IEC 61010, Machinery Regulation, EMC Directive, Low Voltage Directive, Cyber Resilience Act.

Communication

• Experience clearly articulating requirements and design details. Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.

Leadership

• Experience managing people in a technical engineering environment.

Problem Solving

• Good experience in problem solving across multi‑disciplinary engineering challenges.

Networking

• Ability to work independently and with others across all functions within a local manufacturing site.

Technical

Electronics Design

• A strong electronics engineering background with hands‑on experience across analogue, digital, power, and sensing domains, able to take designs from concept through to verified, production‑ready hardware.

Motion Control

• Meaningful experience with motion control in electromechanical systems: understanding actuator selection, drive architectures, and the interplay between hardware, firmware, and software in a real product context.

Embedded Systems

• Comfortable working across the hardware‑firmware boundary: collaborating with embedded engineers on interface definitions, system integration, and debugging complex electromechanical behaviour.

Domain Experience

• Experience in laboratory automation, scientific instrumentation, industrial robotics, or a similar motion‑intensive engineering environment is advantageous.

Failure Analysis

• Skilled in failure analysis and structured problem‑solving methods (5 Why, Fishbone) applied to electrical and mechatronic systems.

Our commitment to you:

You’ll be working with talented professionals in a motivated and driven team.

We offer a competitive salary package and comprehensive, valued benefits, including private medical insurance and a generous pension plan.

We embrace diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status. We prioritise supporting our employees' diverse needs as we strive for excellence together.