R&D Manager

Highly Competitive Salary + Executive Training + Senior Progression + Pension

Staplehurst, Kent (Commutable from: Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Ashford, Cranbrook, Sittingbourne & Surrounding Areas)

Are you an Engineering Manager or Senior Technical Leader from a multidisciplinary engineering background, looking to step into a high-impact, strategic role reporting directly to the Managing Director? On offer is a rare opportunity to take full ownership of a diverse engineering function, leading technical excellence from concept through to manufacture, while driving the continuous growth of a highly technical, market-leading team. This specialist organisation has been established for over 50 years and is currently entering an exciting, ambitious phase of growth. Operating globally across healthcare, defence, aerospace, and quantum technologies, they offer excellent stability, a collaborative culture, and strong career progression as they expand their engineering capabilities. You will be working from their modern facility, managing a talented, multidisciplinary team across mechanical, electronics, software, and physics disciplines to deliver both standard products and bespoke customer solutions. This role suits a proven Engineering Leader looking for a technically challenging and commercially vital position with long-term, senior-level career development.

• Leading and mentoring a multidisciplinary Engineering and R&D team spanning mechanical, electronics, systems, software, and physics.
• Overseeing technical governance and resource planning from initial concept design through to manufacturing, installation, and continuous improvement.
• Balancing technical excellence with commercial objectives, collaborating closely with production teams to support successful new product development.

• Proven Engineering Manager, Technical Team Lead, or similar.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electronics, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong understanding of the full engineering product lifecycle, looking for a strategic, permanent career move within an expanding, advanced sector.

We are an equal opportunities company and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.