Senior R&D Manager - Electronics

Senior R&D Manager – Electronics

Location: Durham

I’m working with a well‑established international engineering manufacturer that designs and supplies high‑reliability electronic products used in safety‑critical and regulated environments worldwide.

This is a business with deep UK engineering roots, a strong global customer footprint, and a reputation built on precision, robustness, and compliance. Products are developed in‑house and deployed into environments where failure is not an option and regulatory scrutiny is high.

They are now looking to appoint a senior UK‑based R&D Manager to take ownership of engineering delivery, sustaining engineering, and product compliance. This role sits at the centre of how products are developed, maintained, and kept compliant across their lifecycle.

The Role in Simple Terms

This role owns:

• UK electronics R&D delivery
• Existing product support and evolution
• Regulatory and certification performance
• Engineering team output and discipline

It is not a pure strategy or architecture role.

The business is looking for someone who enjoys being close to engineering delivery, understands regulated electronic products, and can balance new development with lifecycle support and compliance.

You will work closely with global R&D leadership while maintaining clear ownership of UK execution.

Core Responsibilities

• End‑to‑end accountability for UK electronics R&D delivery
• Leadership of multidisciplinary electronics and compliance teams
• Oversight of NPD, sustaining and obsolescence
• Ownership of product compliance and certification
• Ensuring products remain compliant throughout their lifecycle
• Improving delivery predictability, throughput, and execution discipline
• Management of selected external engineering partners where appropriate

What They’re Looking For

• Proven experience managing electronics R&D teams
• Strong track record of delivering complex engineering programmes
• Background in electronics, embedded systems, or hardware‑led products
• Practical experience with certification, compliance, or safety‑critical development
• Comfortable owning both leadership and delivery detail
• Structured, pragmatic, and accountable leadership style

Why Senior Candidates Engage

• Clear ownership without inflated titles
• Real impact on new product development and products already in the field
• Balance of leadership and hands‑on influence
• Long‑lifecycle products where engineering quality matters
• International scope without constant travel

Who This Suits

An experienced electronics R&D manager who:

• Prioritises delivery over theory
• Enjoys improving how engineering actually operates
• Views compliance as part of good engineering practice
• Wants a senior role with substance, not noise

Interested?

If this role aligns with your background, I'd welcome a conversation.

Equally, if you’re not actively on the market but the scope, ownership, and focus on delivery resonate, I’m very open to a confidential, exploratory conversation.

Many senior candidates I speak to are happy in their current roles but curious about opportunities with genuine substance and impact - this is firmly in that category.