Technical Lead - Print Systems

Level: IC5

Department: Print Systems

Location: Cambridge

About Xaar

Inkjet Innovator. Trusted Partner. Sustainable Future. Xaar is here to create a world where you can print anything you can imagine.

For more information, visit www.xaar.com.

Purpose of Role

A key member of the R&D team, leading and owning the work on Ink jet Print System development. The successful candidate must be capable of owning all of the technical aspects relating to the successful delivery of highly technical R&D projects.

Reporting to the Print Systems Director of Development; this role requires experience and skills across the full development lifecycle; from capturing the VoC, creating the technical specification through design and verification, and into production and product integration.

The role will as such interface and interact with all other disciplines within , Product Management, R&D, Manufacturing, Sales & Marketing & Customer Support as per project demands.

The role will typically be based at Xaar’s R&D headquarters at the Cambridge Research Park, Waterbeach, Cambridge however there will from time to time be a requirement to attend Xaar’s other R&D facility in Huntingdon as and when required additionally, there will be the opportunity to travel to customer sites on an occasional basis.

Key Accountabilities

Translation of Customer requirements into technical design specifications to meet new product requirements, assessing technical risks and planning for mitigation accordingly.
Technical architecture and accountability for the development of Inkjet Print System products including but not limited to Ink Systems, Print Evaluation Kits and Print Engines.
Proactive co-ordination and influencing of cross-disciplinary engineering resource (R&D, Manufacturing & Customer Support) to solve technical problems.
To ensure the product complies with its specification in terms of functionality, performance and reliability from a technical perspective by creating, planning and managing verification and validation programs alongside the Product Validation team.
Responsible for ensuring that new product developments are delivered on time and to quality. Providing estimates and schedules for allocated project tasks.
To be hands on and support product integration and acceptance testing.
Assists customer support in preparation of technical manuals, training courses etc. and supports resolution of design issues which occur during early product life.
To identify and register all patentable ideas and take action to avoid potential infringements.
To collaborate with Product Management and continuously develop awareness and understanding of market and customer requirements; technology development trends and commercial implications to help improve design.
To maintain commercially deployed products and provide technical support to end customers.
Focuses on the continuous improvement of own skills and R&D processes in own discipline.
Knowledge, experience and qualifications:

Essential

·         A minimum of 10 years product development experience within high-tech R&D environments with awareness of discipline best practice.

·         Relevant degree (BEng/BSc / MEng/MSc / PhD) in Engineering or Physics.

·         Experience of technical leadership within an R&D environment.

·         Experience of the full life cycle of product development from concept through manufacturing & support to EOL.

·         Experience of specifying technical requirements & production of high quality technical reports.

·         Experience in Safe machine design.

·         Experience of electro-mechanical design at a systems level; integrating product modules designed by different disciplines - mechanical, electronics and software.

·         Experience in design of motion systems; Mechanisms, motors, drive systems, bearings, rails, and mounting methods.

·         Experience in design of fluid handling and pneumatic systems with consideration for materials compatibility.

·         Experience of product development tools (e.g. FMEA, Risk assessment, Root cause analysis etc).

·         Experience of provision of estimates (Labour/Materials) for projects/work packages.

·         Excellent Communication skills, presenting highly complex ideas; anticipating potential objections and preparing cases accordingly whilst influencing at all levels of the organisation.

·         Competent PC Skills & proficient in using software tools for creating and presenting complex data

Desirable

·         Inkjet / digital printing knowledge would be advantageous with solid understanding of the fundamental operating principles of inkjet printheads and printers.

Skills & behaviours:
- A team player who enjoys working within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Enjoys multitasking and contributing to a wide array of print/ink system projects.
- Acts as a facilitator and mentor; moves the team forward. Demonstrates a hands-on leadership style, delegates effectively and follows up to ensure results are achieved.
- Enthusiastic & Communicative with strong interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate well to both technical and non-technical personnel using verbal and written styles.
- Demonstrates appropriate interaction with others and fosters a positive working environment.
- Able to work with autonomy, ensure multi-tasks are secured against project plan and budget.
- Supports changes and continues to perform effectively during times of uncertainty.
- Diligent – with a methodical approach and excellent attention to detail; taking pride in their work
- Flexible approach with a ‘CANDO’ attitude.
- A structured, proactive approach – data driven.
- Anticipates patterns and links; looks beyond the immediate problem to the wider implications; generates new and innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Customer (internal and external) focused.
- Commercially aware.
- Willing to travel and spend time away from home at customer sites when required.