Engineering Prototype Lab Manager Engineering, Production, Manufacture

Sonardyne; Yateley; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonardyne International in Yateley, Hampshire, seeks an Engineering Prototype Lab Manager to lead our prototype lab and development workshop, ensuring safe, efficient operations and on-time delivery of prototype builds.

You will manage hands-on assembly, materials, tooling and supplier coordination, while developing a skilled team of technicians and apprentices to transfer new products into manufacture.

Qualifications

• Experience in prototype development, engineering laboratory, workshop or R&D environment.
• Strong practical engineering skills including electrical wiring, soldering and cable assembly.
• Ability to interpret schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.
• Experience managing technical staff, resources, suppliers and prototype procurement.
• Excellent planning, organisation and ability to coordinate multiple projects.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Proactive, detail-oriented with commitment to quality and safety.
• Relevant engineering training or apprenticeship or practical experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the prototype laboratory and development workshop operations, safety and efficiency.
• Oversee hands-on prototype builds and assembly to plan.
• Plan and supervise prototype activities, including small production runs.
• Source and procure prototype components, materials and tooling.
• Coordinate external manufacturing, fabrication and subcontracted work.
• Mentor and develop laboratory staff and apprentices.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, tools and consumables.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain and external suppliers.
• Support product development and transfer of prototypes into manufacture.
• Drive continuous improvement of laboratory capability and resource use.

Skills

Prototype development

Engineering leadership

Electrical wiring

Soldering

Cable assembly

Mechatronics integration

Reading schematics

Project planning

Stakeholder management

Quality and safety

Education

Engineering qualification (HNC/HND/degree)

Tools

CAD

IPC standards

3D printing

Engineering document control

Rapid prototyping

Job description

From the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on earth, to surging shorelines and anywhere in-between, we make the impossible possible through our continuous passion for innovation.

Our people design, engineer and manufacture technologies that are enabling our customers to discover, navigate, measure, detect and communicate in the toughest environment on earth: Our oceans.We’ve been actively developing the technology to make the oceans accessible for over 50 years and we’re only just getting started…At Sonardyne, we value different ways of thinking. Whether you think in code, patterns, systems, or steps, your unique perspective is important to us.

Are you a hands-on engineering professional who enjoys turning innovative ideas into working prototypes?

At Sonardyne International, we’re looking for an experienced Engineering Prototype Lab Manager to lead our prototype laboratory and development workshop at our headquarters in Yateley, Hampshire.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who combines practical engineering expertise with strong organisational and leadership skills. You’ll play a key role in bringing new technologies to life, supporting our Engineering teams from initial concept and prototype development through to successful transfer into manufacture.

We’re looking for someone who is equally comfortable getting involved in a complex prototype build, coordinating materials and suppliers, or supporting and developing a team of talented technicians and apprentices.

If you enjoy solving technical challenges, improving processes and creating an environment where engineering innovation can thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

Your Role

As our Engineering Prototype Lab Manager, you’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day operation, safety and effectiveness of our engineering prototype laboratory and development workshop.

Working closely with our Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain teams, you’ll ensure prototype builds are delivered to the required quality standards and project timescales, with the right people, components and equipment available when needed.

You’ll also take a hands-on approach to prototype assembly and integration, while leading the team, managing laboratory resources and driving continuous improvement.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the prototype laboratory: Managing the day-to-day activities, organisation, safety and efficient operation of our engineering laboratory and development workshop.
• Getting hands-on: Building and assembling prototype products, cable assemblies, wiring looms and harnesses using engineering drawings, schematics and controlled build documentation.
• Coordinating prototype builds: Planning and overseeing prototype activities, including small production runs of tens of units, ensuring project milestones and quality requirements are met.
• Managing materials and procurement: Sourcing and purchasing prototype components, materials, tooling, laboratory equipment and specialist services.
• Working with suppliers: Coordinating external manufacturing, specialist fabrication and subcontracted activities, ensuring components and services are available when required.
• Supporting our people: Managing, mentoring and developing laboratory staff and apprentices, allocating workloads and resources across multiple engineering projects.
• Maintaining our facilities: Ensuring laboratory equipment, tools, test assets and consumables are maintained and fit for purpose.
• Collaborating across the business: Acting as a key link between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and external suppliers.
• Supporting product development: Contributing to engineering change control, configuration management, quality assurance and the successful transfer of new products into manufacture.
• Driving continuous improvement: Identifying opportunities to improve laboratory capability, efficiency, procurement processes and resource utilisation.
• Championing safety and quality: Maintaining risk assessments and ensuring all activities comply with relevant health, safety, environmental and quality procedures.

About You

We’re looking for a practical, proactive engineering professional who enjoys working in a busy technical environment and can balance hands-on delivery with effective team leadership.

You’ll be someone who takes pride in producing high-quality work, enjoys solving problems and understands the importance of keeping multiple engineering projects moving forward.

Essential skills and experience

• Previous experience working within a prototype development, engineering laboratory, workshop or research and development environment.
• Strong practical engineering skills, including electrical wiring, soldering, cable assembly and electro-mechanical integration.
• The ability to confidently interpret engineering schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and assembly documentation.
• Experience managing technical staff, engineering resources, suppliers and prototype procurement activities.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to work across different engineering disciplines.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with excellent attention to detail and a commitment to quality and safety.
• Relevant engineering training, an apprenticeship or equivalent demonstrable practical experience.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience within marine technology, underwater acoustics, sonar, defence, robotics, instrumentation or a similar technical industry.
• Previous involvement in new product introduction (NPI) and the transfer of engineering prototypes into manufacture.
• Familiarity with IPC standards, CAD, engineering document control, 3D printing or rapid-prototyping techniques.
• Experience improving laboratory processes, technical capabilities and resource utilisation.
• An HNC, HND, degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.

Why Sonardyne?

At Sonardyne International, we’re proud to develop innovative technologies that help our customers explore, understand and operate in some of the world’s most challenging underwater environments.

Our technologies support a diverse range of sectors, including offshore energy, ocean science, defence and marine robotics.

Joining our Engineering team means becoming part of a collaborative environment where practical expertise, innovation and problem-solving really matter.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the development of new products, support the growth of engineering talent and help shape the future capability of our prototype laboratory.