Engineering Team Leader – Product R&D

Rakon; Auckland; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rakon in Auckland leads a global team of Electronics Engineers and Technicians to develop next-generation frequency control and timing solutions. This role provides both technical and people leadership, shaping roadmaps, guiding product development, and driving continuous improvement across our portfolio.

You will partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, and Project Management, delivering projects from concept to qualification while nurturing a high-performing engineering culture and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of electronics product development experience.
• Postgraduate study in Engineering or Science is an advantage.
• Strong leadership, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to deliver complex product development programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop engineers and technicians.
• Provide technical leadership across product development from concept to qualification.
• Guide design reviews, verification activities, and engineering decisions.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Manufacturing, and global teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Electronics design

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering

Master’s/PhD advantageous

Tools

PCB design tools

Circuit simulation

DFMEA & DVP&R

APQP methodologies

Job description

Rakon is a global high‑technology company – a New Zealand grown success story, and a world leader in advanced frequency control and timing solutions. Our products play a critical role in telecommunications, global positioning, space, and defence applications worldwide.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of talented Electronics Engineers and Technicians responsible for developing next-generation frequency control and timing solutions. You will provide both technical and people leadership while driving innovation, product development excellence, and team capability while fostering a high-performing engineering culture.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Project Management, and global Rakon teams, you will play a key role in shaping technology roadmaps, delivering development projects, and driving continuous improvement across our product portfolio.

What You'll Be Doing

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Engineers and Technicians.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support career development, capability building, and succession planning activities.

Product Development & Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership across product development activities from concept through to qualification.
• Guide design reviews, verification activities, and engineering decision-making.
• Support analogue and digital circuit design, PCB design, and product verification activities.
• Ensure product development activities follow Rakon's APQP-based development methodology.

Project Delivery & Collaboration

• Support project planning, risk assessment, effort estimation, and resource allocation.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, NPI, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams across Rakon's global sites.
• Contribute to technology and product development strategies based on market needs and emerging technologies.

What You'll Bring

• Previous experience leading, mentoring, or managing engineers and technical teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years' experience in electronics product development.
• Postgraduate study (Master’s/PhD/Postgrad Diploma) in Engineering or Science (an advantage).
• Strong technical expertise in analogue and digital circuit design.
• Experience with PCB design, circuit simulation, and modelling tools.
• Knowledge of APQP methodologies and tools, including DFMEA and DVP&R.
• Experience with product verification, qualification, and test systems.
• Strong communication, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive, collaborative leadership style focused on developing people and delivering results.

Why Join Us?

At Rakon, we value problem solvers who continuously challenge the status quo - those who look for ways to improve our products, our business, and themselves. You will join a supportive team environment where innovation, ownership, and professional growth are encouraged. If this sounds like you and you are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.

Overseas Applicants Welcome:

We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates based both within New Zealand and internationally. If you are currently located overseas and are the successful candidate, Rakon is happy to discuss and support relocation and immigration requirements as part of your transition to New Zealand.