Security Clearance: This role is subject to successful completion of BPSS clearance prior to commencement. Please review our Security Clearance Guidance for Applicants before applying.
About Us
Solsta’s Design & Manufacturing Division specialises in the development and production of advanced optoelectronic and photonic systems for biomedical and diagnostic instrumentation, defence electroâoptical applications, and laser rangefinder (LRF) technologies. We partner with OEMs across the UK, Europe, and North America to design, prototype, validate, and manufacture complex assemblies that demand precision, reliability, and deep technical understanding.
Our capabilities span optoelectronic module design, sensor integration, laser systems, optical packaging, and full NPD/NPI execution under ISO13485âaligned processes. Customers rely on us to translate challenging technical requirements into manufacturable, highâperformance solutions.
Solsta is also a major distributor of electronic components and systems, giving the wider Group a strong market presence. However, the Design & Manufacturing Division operates a distinct commercial and technical model, focused on customerâfunded development programmes rather than catalogueâbased distribution. You will be joining this specialist engineeringâled division, working closely with customers developing nextâgeneration biomedical devices, diagnostic platforms, defence systems, and LRF technologies.
The Role
Reporting to the Commercial Manager – Manufacturing, you will manage a portfolio of customerâfunded design projects within Solsta’s Design & Manufacturing Division. You will ensure structured, compliant, and efficient delivery of projects through the full lifecycle, maintaining governance of the ISO13485âaligned NPD/NPI process in collaboration with the Chief Engineer.
You will coordinate crossâfunctional engineering teams, manage risks, maintain project discipline, and ensure smooth transition into manufacturing. This role is essential to enabling the Commercial Manager to focus on commercial strategy and business growth.
As the division expands, this role offers a clear pathway to Programme Manager, with responsibility for multiâproject oversight, resource planning, and portfolioâlevel governance.
Key Responsibilities
Project and Programme Delivery
- Manage the full project lifecycle from initiation to completion, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, scope, and quality requirements.
- Maintain and enforce the ISO13485âaligned NPD and NPI processes, ensuring all projects follow defined design controls, documentation standards, and stageâgate requirements.
- Lead project planning activities, including scope definition, scheduling, resource planning, and risk management.
- Monitor progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain delivery performance.
- Provide clear, structured reporting to the Commercial Manager and senior stakeholders, including KPIs, risks, dependencies, and recommendations.
Technical Coordination
- Coordinate crossâfunctional teams (design, electronics, mechanical, manufacturing, quality, supply chain) to ensure effective communication and seamless project execution.
- Support technical reviews, validation activities, and readiness assessments prior to release into manufacturing.
- Ensure all project documentation meets ISO13485, internal quality procedures, and customer expectations.
- Influence engineering teams to maintain momentum and deliverables without performing engineering tasks directly.
Programme Management & Prioritisation
- Work with the Commercial Manager to prioritise the project portfolio, balancing resources across concurrent projects.
- Maintain programmeâlevel visibility of capacity, dependencies, and constraints.
- Support continuous improvement of project governance, reporting, and PMOâstyle processes.
Stakeholder & Customer Engagement
- Act as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, managing expectations and building strong relationships.
- Support customerâfunded development activities, ensuring commercial and technical requirements are clearly understood and delivered.
- Provide structured updates to customers where required.
- Represent Solsta D&M professionally at customer sites, reviews, and technical meetings.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Proven track record delivering complex engineering projects on time, within budget, and to defined quality standards.
- Strong understanding of structured project management methodologies and tools.
- Experience working within regulated industries (defence, biotech, medical, aerospace) highly desirable.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
- Strong analytical and problemâsolving abilities.
- Ability to work in a fastâpaced environment and manage multiple concurrent projects.
- Comfortable operating autonomously, managing time, priorities, and stakeholder expectations with minimal supervision.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and influencing progress in situations where not everyone moves at the same pace. Able to maintain a constructive, solutions focused approach when faced with resistance or competing priorities.
Desirable
- Experience with ISO13485, defence standards, or other regulated quality systems.
- Familiarity with optoelectronics, photonics, biomedical instrumentation, or defence electroâoptical systems.
- Experience with DFM, validation, and manufacturing transfer processes.
- Eligibility for UK security clearance (BPSS or higher) advantageous.
Benefits For You
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EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme
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26 Days Annual Leave Plus Bank Holidays + More For Length of Service
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Pensions Plan
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Company Sick Pay Scheme
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Life Assurance Scheme
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Profit Share Scheme
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All Employee Share Plan
We are an equal opportunity employer fostering an inclusive recruitment experience for all candidates.
