R&D Manager - Heat Pumps

Octopus Energy; Portadown; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Octopus Centre for Heating Technology in Portadown is seeking an R&D Manager to lead the hardware development of next-generation air source heat pumps. This senior, hands-on role owns the full development lifecycle from design through testing, compliance and productionisation.

You will set the technical direction, manage engineers and technicians, and collaborate with product, commercial and manufacturing teams to bring new heat pump products to market.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading an engineering team.
• Experience in heat pump or HVAC hardware development.
• Strong thermodynamics and systems thinking.
• Track record of moving hardware products from concept to market.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of engineers and technicians across the full development lifecycle of heat pump hardware.
• Define and maintain the technical roadmap for R&D.
• Coordinate with platform, firmware and design teams for hardware integration.
• Oversee design, testing, and validation of heat pump components and systems.
• Lead component selection and supplier evaluation for performance and cost.
• Manage lab and field testing programmes and synthesize real-world data.
• Drive compliance testing to standards (MCS, CE/UKCA, EN 14511, F-Gas, ErP).
• Specify and maintain test rigs and lab facilities to support validation.
• Monitor market trends to inform product direction and opportunities.
• Identify and manage technical risks to keep projects on schedule.

Skills

Team leadership

Heat pump hardware

Thermodynamics

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Electrical)

Tools

Lab testing

Job description

Octopus Centre for Heating Technology is the hardware division of the Octopus Energy Group, one of the UK's leading energy suppliers. Based in Portadown, we develop and manufacture the air source heat pumps and associated hardware that Octopus Energy installs in homes across the country.

We’re changing the energy system globally, spearheading the transition to greener, cheaper energy through the installation of in-home technologies. Our team brings together deep technical expertise, commercial focus and a drive to move from idea to real-world product quickly.

We’re looking for an R&D Manager to lead the team responsible for developing our next generation of heat pump technology. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role, with ownership of the full development process - from initial design through testing, compliance and productionisation. You’ll set the technical direction for R&D, manage a team of engineers and technicians, and work closely with product, commercial and manufacturing colleagues to bring new products to market.

What You'll Do:

• Lead a team of engineers and technicians working on air source heat pumps and associated components across the full development lifecycle.

• Define and maintain the technical roadmap for heat pump R&D, balancing short-term delivery with longer-term product strategy.

• Work closely with the platform, firmware, and design teams to ensure hardware development is well-integrated with wider product and system decisions.

• Oversee the design, testing, and validation of heat pump hardware, including refrigeration circuits, controls, heat exchangers, and system integration.

• Lead component selection across the product, working with suppliers to evaluate and qualify parts that meet performance, cost, and reliability requirements.

• Manage the lab and field testing programme, drawing on data from real-world installations to inform product decisions.

• Lead compliance testing to relevant standards (MCS, CE/UKCA, EN 14511, F-Gas, ErP, etc.) and manage relationships with test houses and certification bodies.

• Specify, commission, and maintain test rigs and laboratory facilities to support the team's development and validation work.

• Monitor residential heat pump market trends and emerging technologies, using that knowledge to inform product direction and identify opportunities.

• Identify and manage technical risk throughout the development process, keeping projects on schedule in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

• Support the professional development of engineers and technicians within the team.

What You'll Need:

Essential:

• A graduate or postgraduate qualification in engineering (mechanical, electrical, or a closely related discipline).

• Proven experience managing an engineering team, including project delivery, workload planning, and team development.

• Substantial experience in heat pump, HVAC, or refrigeration product development, with a strong working knowledge of thermodynamics, system components, and design tradeoffs.

• A demonstrable track record of taking hardware products from concept through to market.

• Strong systems-level thinking, with the ability to work across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software domains.

• Experience working in a fast-paced development environment, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain delivery momentum.

• Clear and effective communication skills, including the ability to present technical information to non-technical audiences.

Desirable:

• Experience with field-deployed products and using operational data to drive iterative improvement.

• Familiarity with UK and EU regulatory requirements for heat pumps and low-carbon heating.

• Background in design for manufacture, particularly for volume consumer hardware.

We're very excited about this opportunity. We're looking for the passion, skills and experience to help shape and define the future of energy and business at a global scale. If you're reading this and grinning and want to bring this technology to the market at scale and speed, then we would love to hear from you.

Are you ready for a career with us? We want to ensure you have all the tools and environment you need to unleash your potential. Need any specific accommodations? Whether you require specific accommodations or have a unique preference, let us know, and we'll do what we can to customise your interview process for comfort and maximum magic!

Studies have shown that some groups of people, like women, are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we hire. Across Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our people are our strongest asset and the unique skills and perspectives people bring to the team are the driving force of our success. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.