Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

Role Overview

Our client is a founder and innovator of sensing and monitoring systems that have helped save countless lives across the globe for over forty years. They are currently seeking a Product Development Manager to build, lead and manage the Product Development team across the research, development and delivery of new products as well as the upgrade, design maintenance of existing products. This role will be based at our client's office in Kent, but may require occasional travel in Europe / the Far East.

Key Responsibilities

Functional:

* Manage and lead team members including line management, day-to-day work, recruitment, training and development
* Manage and lead engineering project prioritisation & assignment
* Manage engineering resource loading and forecasting
* Manage product overall cost and timing informed by commercial awareness
* Manage and lead the research and development of innovative technologies and products
* Manage and lead product development & introduction
* Manage product upgrades & changes
* Manage and lead projects through engineering phases and approvals
* Facilitate and steering with of product introduction with other departments
* Manage and lead product verification, validation and certification
* Manage, lead and approve product documentation and technical submissions to product board
* Manage, lead and negotiate supplier and engineering or testing services including acquisition and strategies
* Support product roadmaps and strategies and lead from technology and achievability perspectives
* Manage engineering process improvement

Technical:

* Optical and image processing knowledge
* Video/audio signal formats analogue/digital formats and processing
* Analog and digital circuit design and development, including microprocessors, digital signal processing and design for EMC
* Digital communication protocols e.g. I2C, SPI, RS232, RS485, CAN, Ethernet etc.
* Systems, software & hardware interface and software engineering
* Digital signal processing and data storage media
* LCD interface and panel design
* PCB level troubleshooting and product fault finding
* Understanding mechanical design methods and material selection
* Implement design for manufacturing
* Lean manufacturing techniques helping our supplier base develop efficiencies

Experience and Skills Required

Essential experience:

* Minimum 8 years' practical experience with electronics and mechanical product development, preferably within the Automotive field throughout the product development life cycle
* Minimum of 3 years' people management experience
* Commercial awareness of project and product cost and timing
* Extensive knowledge of analogue and digital electronics including microprocessors, DSP, video signal processing and RF technology
* Knowledge of camera, optics, acoustics, LCDs and digital recording technologies
* Knowledge of modern automotive electronic architecture, multiplex communication protocols and systems
* Computer application skills: Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, MCAD & ECAD & PCB development tools, electronic circuit simulation programs
* Experience with supplier management, preferably with Far Eastern low-cost manufacturing
* Genuine interest in modern technology, preferably with in the Automotive industry
* Experience with providing direction for decision making

Desirable experience:

* Product development for the detection of traffic situations, people, cyclists and objects and sensors within the Automotive domain
* DSP and algorithm development
* Digital recording technology
* Video Display based on LCD technology
* Camera and optics
* Acoustics

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential:

* Bachelor of Engineering (Electronics or similar) or other relevant qualifications and experience

Desirable:

* Master of Engineering in Electronic product development or similar
* People and project management training or qualification(s)