Job Title:
Research and Development Manager
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking a Research and Development (R&D) Manager to oversee the development of new and enhanced products that are innovative, of the highest quality, and mechanically sound. This will be achieved through the management of both long-term initiatives and short-term Agile project execution. The R&D Manager will lead a multidisciplinary team comprising Radio Frequency (RF) Engineers, Industrial Designers, Mechanical Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Laboratory Support Technicians. The role also includes international travel, primarily to China and Europe, to engage with suppliers and manufacturers and support product development and production processes.
Responsibilities
Project Management (PM)
Ensure the R&D team delivers products in line with time, quality, and cost requirements by:
- Managing both long-term project plans and short-term Agile execution
- Facilitating regular product design reviews
- Planning for, identifying, and mitigating project and product risks
- Ensuring adherence to processes and driving continuous improvement
- Overseeing completion of products and associated documentation
- Managing product budgets and contributing to optimisation of long-term, high-volume products
- Addressing production quality issues and resolving them timeously
- Reviewing and approving new product tooling
- Liaising with and communicating product requirements to local and international suppliers
- Providing clear updates on product progress, risks, and key milestones
Product Management (PdM)
Ensure all products developed align with documented Product Management requirements by:
- Driving a culture of innovation and continuous product improvement within the team
- Providing technical input and consultancy to internal and external stakeholders (via assigned engineers or technicians)
- Supporting product launches, modifications, and end-of-life product decisions
- Evaluating and introducing new industry design methodologies, tools, and technologies
- Ensuring all products meet required specifications and compliance standards
Industrial Design
- Improve existing product designs to reduce manufacturing costs
- Design and develop new products
- Provide production support, including assembly guidance, test instructions, and training
- Test and qualify products against relevant international standards
- Develop production and test equipment, including documentation packs for China and local manufacturing
- Conduct investigation and fault-finding on existing and new designs
- Develop new product design and qualification specifications
Research
- Stay current with emerging product technologies, design methodologies, production technologies, components, and solutions
People Management
- Lead, mentor, and motivate the team to achieve development and performance objectives
- Set development KPAs that contribute positively to business outcomes
- Develop talent through targeted project allocation and growth opportunities
- Foster innovation and continuous improvement across the team
- Empower team members through effective delegation and ownership
Administration and Reporting
- Ensure all correspondence and administrative tasks are completed accurately and timeously
- Manage email, inbox, and data efficiently
- Maintain a professional standard in all communication
- Ensure all reporting and feedback requirements are met accurately and on time
- Adhere to departmental processes and standard operating procedures
- Provide statistics and information as required
Values and Conduct
- Actively promote and uphold the Poynting brand through consistent use of brand identity in products and marketing
- Ensure behaviour and outputs align with brand promises and values
- Champion innovation, MVP thinking, and Agile methodologies in product development
- Apply similar agile and lean principles to internal processes to improve efficiency and empower sales and marketing initiatives
Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or PhD in Engineering
- Proven leadership and people management experience
- Strong technical expertise and industry knowledge relevant to the company’s products, services, technologies, and engineering operations
