Technical & Product Development Engineer - Fire-rated doorset manufacturer East Hampshire / Surrey borders (5633)

Vacancy No 5633 Vacancy Title Technical & Product Development Engineer Location East Hampshire / Surrey borders (office based) Fire-rated doorset manufacturer East Hampshire / Surrey borders Department: Technical Reporting to: Technical Director Salary: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum, dependent on experience, plus company bonus Why this one?

Engineer the doors that hold back fire.

Our client is a growing, independent UK manufacturer of fire-rated doorsets: life-safety products that have to perform when it matters most. Everything happens under one roof. Their own technical team, in-house manufacturing and product certification mean your ideas go from CAD, to a prototype on the shop floor, through fire testing and out onto real buildings, without ever leaving the business.

You'll work side by side with a highly experienced Technical Director, learn fire certification from the inside, and solve hands on problems every day. It's a rare chance to build a career in a specialist, safety critical field, with full training from day one, a company bonus and 31 days' holiday.

About the role

Our client is looking for a technically minded and commercially aware Technical & Product Development Engineer to join the client's Technical Team.

This is a varied role covering technical support, new product development, product improvement, technical documentation and technical assurance.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Technical Director and wider business, developing a strong understanding of the company's products, manufacturing processes and associated fire certification.

The role is particularly suited to someone who enjoys solving technical problems, understanding how products work and developing practical, manufacturable solutions.

Key Responsibilities Technical Support

• Provide technical support to internal departments, customers, architects and contractors.
• Investigate technical queries and develop practical solutions.
• Interpret technical drawings, specifications, standards and certification documentation.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the company's products, construction methods, manufacturing processes and certification limitations.

Product Development & Improvement

• Assist with and take ownership of the development of new products and product configurations from concept through to production.
• Produce and review technical drawings and product details.
• Assist with prototypes, trials and product evaluations.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing products in terms of performance, new materials, components, quality, cost and installation.
• Work closely with Production to ensure new and modified products are practical and commercially viable to manufacture.

Technical Assurance & Certification

• Develop a strong working knowledge of the company's product certification and industry standards and provide advice and assurance to other stakeholders.
• Assist with reviewing certification documents, test reports and Field of Application reports where relevant.
• Support the Technical Director in assessing changes to standards, regulations and industry guidance.

Technical Documentation & Marketing

• Assist with producing and maintaining technical manuals, drawings, product guides and other technical literature.
• Work with Marketing to ensure technical information is presented accurately and consistently.

Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Assist with trials of new materials, new products, components and manufacturing methods.
• Support the introduction of new products and product changes into production.
• Where relevant, identify opportunities to improve product quality, consistency, efficiency and manufacturability.

Skills & Experience Essential

• Strong technical aptitude, with a genuine interest in understanding how products and systems work, and a practical, hands on approach to problem solving.
• Good analytical and problem solving ability, with the ability to understand technical drawings and develop practical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, with good written and verbal communication skills.
• Organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities while working independently.
• Comfortable getting hands on with the building, installation and trialling of prototypes, and working with Production to develop practical and manufacturable solutions.
• Experience using CAD and/or relevant engineering, design or manufacturing software.

Desirable

• Experience in product development, product design, engineering or manufacturing, ideally within construction, building products, doors, joinery or a related industry.
• Engineering, design or manufacturing qualification.
• Experience working with technical standards, specifications, product certification or test documentation.
• Knowledge of fire doors and fire performance would be advantageous.

Existing fire-door knowledge would be advantageous but is not essential. The ability to learn and understand the company's products, certification and manufacturing processes is more important.

Personal Qualities The client is looking for someone who is:

• Naturally curious, technically minded and enjoys finding out how things work.
• A practical, proactive problem solver who is comfortable getting involved and taking a hands on approach.
• Comfortable dealing with technically complex or unfamiliar problems and knowing when to seek guidance.
• Organised, accurate and commercially aware, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confident communicating with people across different departments and taking ownership of tasks and projects.

What the client offers

• Comprehensive training across all areas of the role.
• A varied and engaging position with a clear development path, within a growing, specialist business.
• Opportunity to gain valuable experience in an essential safety-driven industry.
• A collaborative and friendly working environment.

Benefits

• Competitive company bonus scheme
• Annual leave - 31 days including bank holidays, increasing with long service
• Wellbeing programme
• Free parking
• Cycle to work scheme
• EV salary sacrifice scheme
• Company events

This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in a specialist technical field, with the support of a knowledgeable team and structured on-the-job training.