Senior Manager Manufacturing Innovation

Atlas Copco; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Culture of trust and accountability

Lifelong learning and career growth

Innovation powered by people

Comprehensive compensation and benefits

Health and well‑being

Job summary

Atlas Copco is seeking a Senior Manager Innovation to shape the Factory of the Future within the Vacuum Technique division's Semiconductor Chamber Solutions group. Based in the UK or Germany, you will drive the global manufacturing innovation strategy across machining, automation, and digitalisation.

You will lead a global team of technology specialists, manage end-to-end innovation delivery, and build strategic partnerships with suppliers and universities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field.
• Experience leading a team of technology specialists.
• Excellent verbal and written English.

Responsibilities

• Own Global Manufacturing Innovation Strategy and define an innovation roadmap across machining, automation, and digitalisation.
• Drive technology innovation across core domains and lead advancement and industrialisation of manufacturing tech.
• Identify and prioritise manufacturing technology initiatives based on impact and scalability.
• Manage and develop a global team of subject matter experts and project resources.
• Establish a structured innovation process from ideation through industrialisation and global rollout.

Job description

Burgess Hill, Cologne, Yachiyo, Seoul, Qingdao

As the Senior Manager Innovation you will drive the evolution of VSC manufacturing by turning innovative ideas into scalable global solutions that shape the “Factory of the Future” – radical solutions are being developed that maximise capabilities in Divisional operations. The role enables our teams to adopt new technologies through structured processes, knowledge sharing, and disciplined change management. By fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and collaboration, you will empower the decentralised organisation while maintaining standardization through best practices. You will ensure innovation delivers measurable operational, technical, and business impact across the global factory network. You will report to the Head of Operational Excellence in the Vacuum Chamber Solutions Division.

Location:

UK or Germany

The Division

The Semiconductor Chamber Solutions divison is part of the Vacuum Technique business Area of Atlas Copco and was established in 2020 to focus on products that operate directly on the process chambers within the clean room of Semiconductor Fabs. The majority of our equipment is sold directly to the tool manufacturers (OEM business driven) and we currently have four main product areas: STP turbomolecular pumps, CTI cryogenic pumps, Polycold chillers and our recently acquired Presys Valves. Our headquarters is in Burgess Hill in the UK but we are a truly global division with our operations currently across the US, Mexico, Japan, Korea and China and sales centres around the world. Our mission is to be the leading innovation, productivity and sustainability partner to the semiconductor industries, by investing in people and technologies for a better future.

Responsibilities

Including but not limited to the following;

• Own the Global Manufacturing Innovation Strategy, define and execute an innovation roadmap across machining, assembly, automation, and digitalisation.
• Drive technology innovation across core domains and lead advancement and industrialisation of:
  • Machining technologies (predominantly turning, millturn, high speed milling) to enhance stability, capability, and productivity
  • Automation and assembly solutions (robotics, flexible assembly systems, advanced material flow) to enable flexible, scalable, and efficient operations
  • Digital manufacturing (MES, IIoT, data analytics, AI, digital twins) to support data-driven, future-ready production environments
• Identify and prioritise manufacturing technology initiatives based on business impact and scalability, ensuring alignment with overall strategy, capacity planning, and long-term investment priorities.
• Manage and develop a global team of subject matter experts and project resources. Establish clear structures, roles, and governance to ensure effective delivery, strong collaboration across functions, and alignment with organisational culture and performance expectations.
• Own end-to-end innovation delivery & deployment by establishing and governing a structured innovation process from ideation through industrialisation and global rollout. Lead cross-site projects, ensuring technical feasibility, financial robustness, and successful transfer into serial production with full adoption across factories.
• Drive technology scouting & strategic partnerships by identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and partners. Build and manage collaborations with suppliers, universities, and industry networks to accelerate innovation and maintain technological leadership.
• Develop and govern global standards for manufacturing technologies, processes, and systems. Capture and scale best practices across sites, ensuring consistency, transparency, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation.
• Establish a global innovation knowledge base and drive capability development in advanced manufacturing technologies. Foster a culture of learning and innovation, supporting teams through coaching, change management, and hands‑on implementation.

To succeed, you will

• Have a Bachelors Degree (or equivalent) in an Engineering or relevant discipline or equivalent working experience.
• Have experience in leading, developing and managing a team of technology specialists.
• Have excellent verbal and written English

We are also looking for the successful candidate to have:

• Proven track record in delivering complex manufacturing programs with particular experience in manufacturing transformation, projects of continuous improvement character or equivalent
• High commercial and technical experience
• Dynamic with strong hands‑on mentality and leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and organisational environments, with experience leading and influencing global teams

Its advantageous if you

• Have a Masters Degree in relevant field or equivalent.
• Have a background in the semiconductor industry or a relevant market.

In return, we offer

• Culture of trust and accountability
• Lifelong learning and career growth
• Innovation powered by people
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits
• Health and well‑being

Contact information

Behind every innovative solution, there are people working together to transform the future. With careers sparked by initiative and lifelong learning, we are uniting curious minds, and you could be one of them.

Edwards is a leader in the vacuum and abatement markets. The brand’s products are essential for industries such as semiconductor, power generation, chemical and food processing. Edwards believes in working with customers to set new standards and creating environments where innovation thrives. This trailblazer prides itself on making a difference in areas that are intrinsic to people’s everyday lives – from the medical care they receive to the coffee they drink. Wherever there is vacuum, Edwards can also be found, leading the way. Edwards is a brand within Atlas Copco Group.