Prototype Engineering Lead

DCS Recruitment; Basingstoke and Deane; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DCS Recruitment seeks an experienced Prototype Engineering Lead to oversee a dedicated prototype lab and workshop, combining technical oversight with team leadership. You will manage day-to-day operations, supplier relations, and ensure prototype builds meet safety, quality and schedule targets.

The role involves coordinating engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams, maintaining BOMs, and guiding prototypes from development into manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 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 build documentation.

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.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project planning

Technical communication

Electrical wiring

Education

Engineering qualification or apprenticeship

Tools

Soldering

Job description

Prototype Engineering Lead

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.