Research & Development Director
CV-LibraryM11, Openshaw, ManchesterpermanentPosted: 12 June 2026
Apply NowResearch & Development Director
The Opportunity
A market-leading international engineering and manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Research & Development Director to lead the transformation of its global engineering and product development function.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a board-facing leadership role with responsibility for a team of approximately 27 engineers and an annual R&D budget of circa £12 million.
The successful candidate will drive engineering excellence, product portfolio optimisation, value engineering, cost reduction, manufacturing efficiency and targeted innovation, ensuring products remain commercially competitive while supporting future growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop a high-performing Engineering and R&D function.
* Drive product reengineering, value engineering and cost optimisation programmes.
* Implement Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) methodologies.
* Improve product quality, reliability, serviceability and manufacturability.
* Establish engineering governance, project management and stage-gate processes.
* Develop and deliver a long-term product roadmap aligned to business strategy.
* Lead targeted new product development and innovation initiatives.
* Collaborate closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to improve business performance.
About You
You will have:
* Proven leadership experience within Engineering, R&D or Product Development.
* A strong track record of engineering transformation and organisational change.
* Experience delivering product reengineering, value engineering and cost reduction initiatives.
* Strong knowledge of DFM, DFA, product lifecycle management and engineering governance.
* Experience managing substantial engineering budgets and multidisciplinary teams.
* A commercially focused approach combined with strong technical credibility.
Experience within industrial instrumentation, engineered products, manufacturing technology or industrial equipment environments would be highly advantageous.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected engineering and manufacturing business. You will have significant influence over strategy, engineering investment, product development and operational performance while playing a key role in the company's long-term growth and success.
Please send your CV via the system as soon as possible
The Opportunity
A market-leading international engineering and manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Research & Development Director to lead the transformation of its global engineering and product development function.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a board-facing leadership role with responsibility for a team of approximately 27 engineers and an annual R&D budget of circa £12 million.
The successful candidate will drive engineering excellence, product portfolio optimisation, value engineering, cost reduction, manufacturing efficiency and targeted innovation, ensuring products remain commercially competitive while supporting future growth.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop a high-performing Engineering and R&D function.
* Drive product reengineering, value engineering and cost optimisation programmes.
* Implement Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) methodologies.
* Improve product quality, reliability, serviceability and manufacturability.
* Establish engineering governance, project management and stage-gate processes.
* Develop and deliver a long-term product roadmap aligned to business strategy.
* Lead targeted new product development and innovation initiatives.
* Collaborate closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Commercial teams to improve business performance.
About You
You will have:
* Proven leadership experience within Engineering, R&D or Product Development.
* A strong track record of engineering transformation and organisational change.
* Experience delivering product reengineering, value engineering and cost reduction initiatives.
* Strong knowledge of DFM, DFA, product lifecycle management and engineering governance.
* Experience managing substantial engineering budgets and multidisciplinary teams.
* A commercially focused approach combined with strong technical credibility.
Experience within industrial instrumentation, engineered products, manufacturing technology or industrial equipment environments would be highly advantageous.
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected engineering and manufacturing business. You will have significant influence over strategy, engineering investment, product development and operational performance while playing a key role in the company's long-term growth and success.
Please send your CV via the system as soon as possible