Prototype & Development Lab Manager

Ripple Recruitment Ltd; Yateley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ripple Recruitment Ltd is seeking a hands-on Prototype & Development Lab Manager to lead a busy engineering prototype lab and workshop in Yateley. You will turn engineers' designs into working hardware and help shape a small, expanding team.

You will manage prototype builds, source components, oversee BOMs, support change control and ensure a safe, well-equipped lab. This role offers genuine career development in a growing technology company.

Qualifications

• Experience in prototype, R&D lab, development workshop or similar engineering environment.
• Strong practical skills in electrical wiring, soldering, cable assembly and electro-mechanical integration.
• Comfortable reading schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.
• Experience leading technical staff and managing suppliers or procurement.
• An engineering apprenticeship, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent practical experience.
• A curious, inventive mindset. You enjoy solving build problems and trying new approaches.

Responsibilities

• Build prototype products, cable assemblies, wiring looms and harnesses from drawings and schematics, and get hands-on.
• Plan and coordinate prototype builds, typically small runs of tens of units, against project milestones.
• Lead, develop and support a small team of technicians and apprentices.
• Source and buy prototype components, materials, tooling and specialist services, and manage suppliers and sub-contractors.
• Manage prototype bills of materials and component availability.
• Support change control, quality and the handover of new products into manufacturing.
• Keep the lab safe, organized and well equipped, and constantly find better ways of working.

Skills

Electrical wiring

Soldering

Cable assembly

Electro-mechanical integration

Reading schematics

Team leadership

Procurement

Problem solving

Education

Engineering apprenticeship

HNC/HND

Degree

Tools

IPC certification

CAD

3D printing

Rapid prototyping

Job description

A growing engineering technology business is looking for a hands-on Prototype & Development Lab Manager to lead its engineering prototype lab and workshop.

This is a rare chance to be at the heart of new product development, turning engineers' designs into working hardware, and to shape how a small, expanding team works.

What you'll be doing as Prototype & Development Lab Manager

• Building prototype products, cable assemblies, wiring looms and harnesses from drawings and schematics, and getting stuck in yourself
• Planning and coordinating prototype builds, typically small runs of tens of units, against project milestones
• Leading, developing and supporting a small team of technicians and apprentices
• Sourcing and buying prototype components, materials, tooling and specialist services, and managing suppliers and subcontractors
• Managing prototype bills of materials and component availability
• Supporting change control, quality and the handover of new products into manufacturing
• Keeping the lab safe, organised and well equipped, and constantly finding better ways of working

What we're looking for - Prototype & Development Lab Manager

• Experience in a prototype, R&D lab, development workshop or similar engineering environment
• Strong practical skills in electrical wiring, soldering, cable assembly and electro-mechanical integration
• Comfortable reading schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings
• Experience leading technical staff and managing suppliers or procurement
• An engineering apprenticeship, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent practical experience
• A curious, inventive mindset. You enjoy solving build problems and trying new approaches

Nice to have - Prototype & Development Lab Manager

• Background in marine, defence, robotics, instrumentation or a similar high-tech sector
• Experience of new product introduction and transfer to manufacture
• IPC certification, CAD, 3D printing or rapid prototyping

This is a site-based job with a well-established, growing technology company offering genuine career development.

My client is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.