Engineering Prototype Lab Manager

DCS Recruitment; Basingstoke and Deane; Presencial; GBP 60.000 - 80.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Specialist prototype lab

Descripción de la vacante

DCS Recruitment is seeking an Engineering Prototype Manager to lead a dedicated prototype laboratory and workshop. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with project planning, supplier coordination and safety management to deliver robust prototype builds.

The successful candidate will oversee daily operations, manage resources and mentor technical staff, ensuring on-time delivery and seamless transition from prototype to production.

Formación

• Experience managing an engineering workshop or prototype lab.
• Hands-on experience with wiring, cable assemblies, and electro-mechanical integration.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics and build documentation.
• Experience coordinating teams, resources and suppliers.
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication across engineering functions.
• Relevant engineering qualification or apprenticeship.

Responsabilidades

• Manage the daily operation, safety and organisation of the engineering laboratory and workshop.
• Lead, support and develop technical staff and apprentices, allocating work and prioritising.
• Plan and coordinate prototype builds, including small production batches, to meet timescales.
• Oversee manufacture and assembly of prototype equipment and components.
• Interpret engineering drawings and build documentation.
• Manage procurement of components, materials, tooling and equipment.
• Maintain BOMs, monitor component availability and coordinate outsourced manufacturing.
• Maintain workshop equipment, tools, test facilities and stock levels.
• Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams.
• Ensure quality, risk assessments, health and safety procedures and configuration records.
• Support transition of completed prototypes into manufacturing.

Conocimientos

Engineering workshop management

Electrical wiring & soldering

Prototype development

Project planning & scheduling

Team leadership & mentoring

Reading engineering drawings

Procurement & supplier coordination

Educación

Engineering qualification or apprenticeship

Descripción del empleo

Engineering Prototype Manager

Permanent Full-time

The Role

An opportunity for an experienced engineering professional to take responsibility for a prototype engineering laboratory and workshop. This is a varied, hands-on management role combining technical oversight, team leadership and the coordination of prototype development.

You will oversee the day-to-day running of the facility, manage resources and suppliers, and ensure prototype builds are delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operation, safety and organisation of the engineering laboratory and workshop.

• Lead, support and develop technical staff and apprentices, allocating work and managing priorities.

• Plan and coordinate prototype builds, including small production batches, ensuring projects meet agreed timescales.

• Oversee the manufacture and assembly of prototype equipment, cable assemblies, wiring looms and electro-mechanical components.

• Interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics and build documentation.

• Manage procurement of components, materials, tooling and specialist equipment.

• Maintain prototype bills of materials, monitor component availability and coordinate outsourced manufacturing.

• Maintain workshop equipment, tools, test facilities, stock levels and build records.

• Work closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain teams and external suppliers.

• Ensure appropriate quality standards, risk assessments, health and safety procedures and configuration records are maintained.

• Support the transition of completed prototypes into manufacturing.

Key Skills & Experience

• Experience managing or working within an engineering workshop, prototype laboratory, R&D or product development environment.

• Practical experience of electrical wiring, soldering, cable assembly or electro-mechanical integration.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams and technical documentation.

• Experience coordinating technical teams, resources, suppliers and procurement.

• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.

• Good communication skills and the ability to work across different engineering functions.

• Relevant engineering qualification, apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience.

Desirable Experience

• Prototype development and new product introduction.

• Experience within marine, defence, robotics, instrumentation or other complex engineering environments.

• Knowledge of quality systems, document control and configuration management.

• Experience supporting products through development and into manufacture.

What's on Offer

The opportunity to take ownership of a specialist engineering facility, lead a technical team and play an important part in bringing new engineering products from prototype development through to manufacture.