Research design innovator

Research Design Innovator Location: Near Woking, Surrey Salary: up to GBP90,000 per annum, rising to GBP125,000 (for the Director role) within the next 3 years. Our client is a well-established Optical / Digital Instrumentation Manufacturer, and they have an impressive newly built facility located on the outskirts of Woking, Surrey. They are looking for a Research Design Innovator with a move to Director level within 3 years so this is a fantastic career opportunity. You would be working within a small Design Department and this position can be partly hybrid with occasional international travel. You would work closely with Production Engineering, Quality Machine Shop departments. The position is responsible for creative technical innovation within the company, whether through substantial internal optical, digital, mechanical, and electronic design capabilities or through outside agencies. The position reports to the Group Design Development Director. Salary is up to GBP90,000 per annum, rising to GBP125,000 (for the Director role) within the next 3 years. Our client offers fantastic benefits including additional production bonus (variable but approx. 4% of basic salary payable monthly in arrears), private pension scheme, BUPA, Life insurance, 24 days holiday per annum (plus additional Bank Holidays), free on-site parking including access to EV car charging points, transport to and from the local station, free membership on-site gym and various classes. Research Design Innovator duties * This role is to take a proactive lead in R D initiatives, exploring and promoting the adoption of new technologies and collaborating with external research organisations and academics (UK and overseas). * Leading the Concept Development Team to drive research programs, generate innovative new technologies and intellectual property, to the point of functioning proof of concept models that will form the road map for future product development. * The Concept Team are located within the Design area and have direct access to development labs, fully equipped optical benches, and dedicated prototyping machinery and 3D printers. A wide range of software tools such as CREO, Zemax Mathcad is used, as well as project management software, such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project and Trello. What we are looking for: * This role requires a high degree of technical creativity, with a good formal qualification (BSc or BEng in a Physical Science, Engineering, Optoelectronics, Photonics, Electronic Engineering or Mechatronics) and a minimum of 5 years rsquo; experience in relevant R D environments. * This is an influential role, inputting ideas which progress to marketable products, so candidates must be creative, dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, hands-on team players, with good communication skills who are ready to generate ideas. * An experienced understanding of IP generation, application filing, and innovation grant fund management would also be a benefit. Keywords: Design, R D, optical, digital, mechanical, electronic, Physical Science, Engineering, Optoelectronics, Photonics, Electronic Engineering or Mechatronics Research Design Innovator