Lead Project Engineer; Technical Authority FTC R&D

As the Lead Project Engineer (Technical Authority), you will be responsible for the technical leadership and successful delivery of innovative consumer products from concept through to manufacture.

Working closely with the Project Manager and Product Owner, you will form part of the project leadership team and act as the primary technical decision-maker for the programme. You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, manage technical risk, align stakeholders, and ensure the delivery of high-quality products that meet consumer and business requirements.

This role combines technical expertise, project leadership and systems thinking to drive product development in a fast-paced, highly innovative environment.

As the most senior engineering representative dedicated to the project, you will be the first point of escalation for technical challenges and will be accountable for ensuring engineering activities are delivered on time, within scope and to the required quality standards.

The successful candidate will foster a collaborative, accountable and high-performing team culture, supporting engineers across multiple disciplines to deliver exceptional consumer products.

Please note that this position is a fixed term contract until the 31 st May 2027

This role will be based in our Cambridge office.

• Act as the Technical Authority for assigned product development programmes.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams across Mechanical, Electronics, Software and Test Engineering functions.
• Provide technical leadership and direction throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Own engineering decision-making, technical risk management and escalation resolution.
• Ensure technical activities are aligned with project objectives, timelines and business requirements.

Coach and support engineering team members to promote effective collaboration and delivery.

• Lead the generation and evaluation of product concepts and early-stage prototypes.
• Drive technical feasibility assessments and identify potential development risks.
• Coordinate user testing and technical evaluation activities to support concept selection.

• Partner with the Project Manager and Product Owner to align project status, priorities and deliverables.
• Lead the definition, development, integration, verification and validation of product requirements throughout the development lifecycle.
• Guide the engineering team through detailed design, integration, testing and product qualification activities.
• Ensure clear ownership of technical deliverables across all engineering disciplines.
• Collaborate with discipline leads to ensure resource availability and project timelines are achievable.
• Drive resolution of technical challenges and engineering trade-offs throughout development.
• Lead technical engagement with suppliers, manufacturing partners and external stakeholders.
• Support design transfer activities to ensure product readiness for volume manufacture.
• Work closely with ghd's Hong Kong NPI team to prepare products for successful manufacturing launch.
• Support validation, launch and ongoing technical activities throughout the product lifecycle.

• Degree, HNC or HND qualified in an Engineering discipline or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven experience acting as a Technical Authority, Lead Project Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer or equivalent technical leadership position.
• Significant experience within a design-led technology business or consumer electronics environment.
• Demonstrable experience leading the development of complex electronic or…