Lead Project Engineer (Technical Authority) – 6 Month FTC

ghd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

ghd in Cambridge is seeking a Lead Project Engineer (Technical Authority) to drive technical leadership and the successful delivery of consumer products from concept to manufacture. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage technical risk and ensure quality while coordinating with PM and Product Owner.

The role involves acting as the primary technical decision-maker, owning engineering deliverables, and supporting design transfer for volume manufacture.

Qualifications

• Degree, HNC or HND in an Engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience acting as a Technical Authority or Lead Project Engineer.
• Experience leading complex electronic/electromechanical product development.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Authority for assigned product development programmes.
• Head multidisciplinary engineering teams across Mechanical, Electronics, Software and Test Engineering.
• Provide technical leadership and direction throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Own engineering decision-making, technical risk management and escalation resolution.
• Ensure activities align with objectives, timelines and business requirements.
• Coach and support engineers to promote collaboration and delivery.

Skills

Technical leadership

Project leadership

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Stakeholder engagement

Electronics knowledge

Systems thinking

Planning and organisation

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent (Degree/HNC/HND)

Job description

As the Lead Project Engineer (Technical Authority), you will be responsible for the technical leadership and successful delivery of innovative consumer products from concept through to manufacture.

Working closely with the Project Manager and Product Owner, you will form part of the project leadership team and act as the primary technical decision-maker for the programme. You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage technical risk, align stakeholders, and ensure the delivery of high-quality products that meet consumer and business requirements.

This role combines technical expertise, project leadership and systems thinking to drive product development in a fast-paced, highly innovative environment.

As the most senior engineering representative dedicated to the project, you will be the first point of escalation for technical challenges and will be accountable for ensuring engineering activities are delivered on time, within scope and to the required quality standards.

The successful candidate will foster a collaborative, accountable and high-performing team culture, supporting engineers across multiple disciplines to deliver exceptional consumer products.

Please note that this position is a fixed term contract until the 31st May 2027

LOCATION

This role will be based in our Cambridge office.

JOB ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership:

• Act as the Technical Authority for assigned product development programmes.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across Mechanical, Electronics, Software and Test Engineering functions.
• Provide technical leadership and direction throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Own engineering decision-making, technical risk management and escalation resolution.
• Ensure technical activities are aligned with project objectives, timelines and business requirements.
• Coach and support engineering team members to promote effective collaboration and delivery.

Concept Development:

• Lead the generation and evaluation of product concepts and early-stage prototypes.
• Drive technical feasibility assessments and identify potential development risks.
• Coordinate user testing and technical evaluation activities to support concept selection.

Product Development:

• Partner with the Project Manager and Product Owner to align project status, priorities and deliverables.
• Lead the definition, development, integration, verification and validation of product requirements throughout the development lifecycle.
• Guide the engineering team through detailed design, integration, testing and product qualification activities.
• Ensure clear ownership of technical deliverables across all engineering disciplines.
• Collaborate with discipline leads to ensure resource availability and project timelines are achievable.
• Drive resolution of technical challenges and engineering trade-offs throughout development.
• Lead technical engagement with suppliers, manufacturing partners and external stakeholders.
• Support design transfer activities to ensure product readiness for volume manufacture.
• Work closely with ghd's Hong Kong NPI team to prepare products for successful manufacturing launch.
• Support validation, launch and ongoing technical activities throughout the product lifecycle.

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree, HNC or HND qualified in an Engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience acting as a Technical Authority, Lead Project Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer or equivalent technical leadership position.
• Significant experience within a design-led technology business or consumer electronics environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading the development of complex electronic or electromechanical products from concept through to manufacture.
• Strong technical understanding of electronics-based products and systems.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams and influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Experience transferring complex products into manufacture, including working with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Exceptional planning, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within Europe and Asia.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships internally and externally.
• Experience with electronic control systems.
• Understanding of first-principles engineering and physics.
• Experience developing products for high-temperature applications.
• Experience working within fast-paced consumer goods or premium technology environments.

WHO ARE WE?

Iconic British brand ghd is a global leader in high-end professional hair styling tools and the UK's number one recommended styling brand. Loved by stylists, consumers and press alike, ghd combines science, innovation and luxury beauty to create some of the world's most advanced hair styling technologies.

Developed by leading scientists and engineers in our Cambridge R&D facility, ghd products deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that have transformed the daily routines of consumers and professional stylists around the globe.

At ghd, we're on a mission to transform lives with the power of a good hair day.

VALUES

We at ghd are proudly committed to our Company Values and aim to attract and retain employees who live our Values.

• Collaborative – We work together to create the extraordinary.
• Creative – We foster creativity & excellence to create value for our brands and business.
• Courageous – We are agile, entrepreneurial & we own our future.
• Connected – We stay connected and ensure we are always consumer first.
• Committed – We are responsible for our impact on other & the planet.