Vacancies

All of our current vacancies are advertised below.

Junior Production Engineer

Purpose of the Role

As a Junior Production Engineer, you will support day to day manufacturing operations by assisting in implementing and continuously improving production processes and procedures. Your focus will be on enhancing quality and safety, reducing waste, and optimising operating efficiency. You will work closely with the Engineering team to promote best practices in manufacturing and with 'design to manufacture' in mind.

Key Accountabilities

  • Assist Assembly Technicians with day to day build challenges and help investigate non-conformances.
  • Support root cause analysis activities such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, under the guidance of the Production Engineer.
  • Help create and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support standardised work practices and efficient workflows.
  • Assist with time and motion studies and value stream mapping to identify areas for process improvement.
  • Support the design and development of simple jigs and fixtures to improve assembly processes, with oversight from the Production Engineer.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement activities, focusing on reducing waste, improving quality, and enhancing productivity.
  • Apply basic ergonomic and Health & Safety principles in process improvement tasks, with mentorship as needed.
  • Learn and assist in the implementation of error-proofing techniques in manufacturing processes.
  • Collaborate with the Engineering team to ensure manufacturing considerations and BOM accuracy are included in design discussions.
  • Participate in special projects and assigned improvement initiatives.
  • Support the training of production operators on newly introduced or updated processes.

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience

  • Minimum HNC / HND or equivalent in a mechanical, engineering, or manufacturing discipline.
  • Understanding of engineering, scientific, and other technical information.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in a lean manufacturing environment.
  • Experience in improving manufacturing processes.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with a logical and analytical approach.
  • Ability to plan and prioritise activities autonomously.
  • Knowledge of product development, standardisation, prototyping, and pre-production processes.
  • Good understanding of customer expectations, deliverables, and the impact of failure/cost of poor quality.
  • Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
  • Proficiency in PC skills, including data analysis tools.

Behavioural Qualities
  • Assertive, resilient, and a change agent.
  • Collaborative team player who engages and motivates others.
  • Optimistic, self-aware, and demonstrates moral courage, openness, and honesty.
  • Self-motivated, flexible, proactive, and committed.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent attention to detail.


electronics Design and development Engineer

Purpose of the Role

To support the provision of electrical/electronic design information for all existing and new GDS products. This includes an understanding of CE/UKCA compliance as part of a full design package in accordance with the engineering plan, business strategy and existing sales targets.

The role includes providing product and testing support of new and existing electrical/electronic design when requested within the engineering team and across the wider business.
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide, maintain, and update existing and new electrical/electronic design documentation as necessary to meet the needs of the business, the customer and CE/UKCA compliance. 
  • Conduct testing of existing, updated, and new electrical/electronic design against specification.
  • Managing technical enquiries and support within GDS and to our customers that relates to electrical/electronic design recreating issues using in-house test equipment to aid in finding technical solutions. 
  • Provide support to the management of the change control and non-conformance process under the guidance of the lead engineer. 
  • Work closely with the lead engineer providing support with initial prototype builds and identification of equipment or tooling required for test.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in a relevant electronics/electrical discipline or equivalent NVQ Level 7 qualification. 
  • Working knowledge and experience of electronics, their components and functional relationship to systems. 
  • Experience in a low/medium volume electromechanical manufacturing environment. 
  • Experience working in a live production environment and/or support environment delivering against agreed timescales and changing priorities. 
  • Operational experience of testing and measurement equipment to meet CE/UKCA compliance. 
  • Working knowledge of firmware/software languages such as C, C++, and C#. 
  • Experience working on electrical and electronic machinery that is energized and operational. 
  • Experience in a low/medium volume electromechanical manufacturing environment

Desirable

  • Working knowledge of Jira, version control (GIT) and Confluence or equivalent. 
  • Experience in the use of 3D CAD packages (such as Solidworks)

Behavioural Qualities

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills. 
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Enthusiastic team player as well as the ability to work alone.
  • Flexible approach to the work, outside of the immediate design office environment.  
  • Self-advancement skills to develop own effectiveness.
  • Forward thinking, with good planning, time management and organisation skills.



Technical Account Manager

Purpose of the Role
The Technical Account Manager role is the first point of contact for sales within their international geographic region, providing quotations and managing enquiries from existing channels, and generating and developing leads from new channels. This individual will play a key role in driving sales while also collaborating with our engineering and product development teams to bring new products to market based on customer needs.

Key Areas of Responsibility
  • Identify and pursue new business opportunities, respond to inbound sales enquires, convert them into sales and progress them through the order cycle. 
  • Develop strong relationships with direct customers and agents, take ownership of strategic visits, including attendance at exhibitions and conferences.
  • Working with agents, create a robust strategy to manage performance, procedures, and agreements.
  • Create and own sales strategies to align with company objectives for your territories, including the production of KPI’s.
  • Working collaboratively with Marketing, use technical expertise to articulate technology and product positioning to both non-technical and technical audiences. 
  • Prepare, manage, and submit responses to tenders within the deadline stated.
  • Provide technical sales support by answering specific product related questions with clarity.
  • Manage and provide accurate sales order and pipeline forecasting information, including customer information (budget, requirements, authority, and timeline).
  • Assist with the development and improvement of technical resources used in the sales process.
  • Actively maintain knowledge of the international geotechnical industry, market trends and competitors’ products / activities to inform sales and marketing strategies.
  • Collaborate with Engineering on new product development based on the customer needs.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience
  • Technically proficient with the ability to rapidly master new products and systems.
  • Ability to work autonomously to consistently achieve agreed sales targets.
  • Excellent communication and people skills.
  • High attention to detail and ability to achieve high levels of accuracy.
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
  • A team player with the ability to work effectively across departments engaging key stakeholders.
  • Ability to work well under pressure with a ‘can do’ attitude.
  • Previous experience within a Sales Account Manager or Sales role.
  • Degree in Engineering-related field required / preferred.
Behavioural Skills
  • Ability to build trusting and strong relationships with all levels of stakeholder.
  • Is confident and calm in all situations.
  • Is self-aware.
  • Consistent approach and attitude.
  • Shows moral courage, openness, and honesty in all dealings.
  • Resilient, optimistic, and pragmatic.
  • Has a mature, collaborative approach to others.

Senior Mechanical Product Design Engineer (team leader)

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Mechanical Product Design Engineer will work collaboratively with the Product Specialist and Director of Engineering supporting the implementation of an engineering strategy that will include future product development, an agreed implementation plan for updates of existing products and work with internal stakeholders across the business to meet the operational needs of the business providing engineering (mechanical and electrical) design and support to both customers and internal stakeholders.

The role is key to supporting other GDS teams in matters of design and providing mentoring support to the other mechanical and electrical product engineers.

Key Responsibilities
  • Produce electro-mechanical 3D models and technical drawings for GDS products under the guidance of the product specialist and Director of Engineering
  • Produce 2D engineering drawings and BOMS from 3D Models
  • Generate and maintain all design related documentation. This includes generating design files and logging all relevant calculations, as well as compiling all documentation required for UKCA/CE approval
  • Provide complete mechanical and electrical design and information packs to assist the manufacturing team
  • Maintain existing design related documentation within the engineering system.
  • Arrange and take the lead in design concept and scope meetings where necessary to establish design parameters
  • Provide support to the management of the change control process
  • Take a leading role in identifying and suggesting improvements with existing product designs and seeking agreement from the Product Specialist.
Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience 
  • Educated to degree level in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent NVQ Level 7 qualification.
  • Demonstrable team leader experience across a multi disciplined team.
  • The ability to use SolidWorks 3D package to an expert level is essential, experience of AutoCAD / DraftSight would be beneficial.

  • Results orientated with ability to plan and deliver against project deadlines.

  • Technical mind-set with demonstrable practical workshop skills.

  • Knowledge of pressure vessels and design codes, and CE approval documentation would be helpful.

  • Good knowledge of machining operations, materials, finishing processes and fabrication.

  • Appreciation of tolerances for application requirements and economic manufacture. 

Behavioural Qualities
  • Mentoring experience to support and develop team members
  • Resilient, optimistic, and open to change
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Shows moral courage, openness, and honesty in all dealings.
  • Has an Adult: Adult, collaborative approach to others.
  • Self-motivated and able to work well under pressure.
  • Self-advancement skills to develop own effectiveness.
  • Forward thinking, with good planning and organisation skills.

Test and Commssioning Manager

Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, you will be managing your own team with full responsibility for the people, procedures, and processes. Managing, motivating and engaging the team to meet business targets and setting the example by creating a positive and respectful environment within the team.

As the Test and Commissioning Manager, you will oversee the implementation of manufacturing improvements working collaboratively with departments directly affecting the areas managing and continually strive for excellence and best practice.

Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain constant communication with managers, staff, and other departments to ensure effective workflows
  • Oversee the planned monthly work in line with customer promised dates to improve accurate lead times for sales orders
  • Ensure all team members have up-to-date knowledge of GDS products and related topics
  • Actively encourage the reporting of ‘non-conformance’ and ‘near misses’ and own the root cause analysis where applicable

  • Support individuals to grow and enable them to reach their potential

  • Delegate responsibilities effectively whilst maintaining control of the area of responsibility
  • Continuously monitor and improve team efficiency
  • Responsible for the day-to-day activities of the team
  • Adopt and encourage the highest standard of Health and Safety and Manufacturing best practice
  • Conduct appraisals with all permanent team members and provide constructive feedback
  • Address performance issues quickly, candidly, and constructively
  • Clearly communicate key messages to the team, including goals, plans, and roles
  • Promote and drive continuous improvement within the teams
  • Maintain processes and procedures within the area of responsibility.

Knowledge, Qualifications and Experience 
  • Bachelor’s degree or a minimum 5 years within a manufacturing environment
  • Proven management skills with the ability to optimise team performance and development
  • A team player with the ability to work effectively across departments engaging key stakeholders
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to work well under pressure with a proactive ‘can do’ attitude
  • A change agent who can challenge and drive process improvements

  • Proficiency in conflict management and business negotiation processes

Behavioural Qualities

  • Consistently manages performance, firmly and fairly
  • Self-aware and demonstrates moral courage, openness, and honesty
  • Engages with team members without bias
  • A change agent with a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Resilient, optimistic and pragmatic
  • Confident, assertive and demonstrates self-control
  • Has an adult-to-adult, collaborative approach to working with others


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

We are always on the lookout for new talent. If you’d like to get in touch to discuss the opportunity to work at GDS on an industrial placement year or apprenticeship please do get in touch and tell us a bit about yourself. We can offer ‘sandwich’ years around your current studies i.e. Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees. Are you our next engineering star?

If you are not sure that you are a fit for one of the current roles advertised above, but are still interested in any future opportunities at GDS, send us your CV and we can get in touch when something becomes available that may suit you!


Note: All applicants will need to be eligible to live and work in the UK

For all enquires and applications please contact Salena Turner at salena@gdsinstruments.com