KTP Associate

Product Design Engineer (Twenty Four Month, Fixed-Term Contract)

Circa £21,536 – £22,924 per annumplus a package of up to £2,000 including training and an international travel bursary.

The post is central to a project run in partnership with Birmingham City University. Initially a 24 month appointment funded by Innovate UK through the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), on successful completion, the post may become permanent.

Knowledge Base Partner:Birmingham City University.

Industrial Partner:EVAC+CHAIR is based within 10 miles of central Birmingham.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are based on a partnership between four stakeholders: Technology Strategy Board; a Higher Education Institution (HEI); a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) company and one or more new graduates. A key objective of the partnership is the, “Facilitating the transfer of knowledge and the spread of technical and business skills, through innovation projects undertaken by high calibre, recently qualified, graduate under the joint supervision of personnel from business and the knowledge base partner (University).

EVAC+CHAIR–Birmingham City University KTP Partnership

EVAC+CHAIRhas entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Birmingham City University to design and develop a universal stretcher interface device (SID) for neonatal equipment to be securely attached to European Ambulance Loading Stretchers (EALS) and other markets worldwide to complement the existing range of goods and services offered by the company.

EVAC+CHAIR

The company offers a total ‘turnkey’ solutions and the manufacture and supply of the of various safety products including the transportation of paediatric patients. The company markets its products consolidated under one company, Evac+Chair International. The company's main products include the Evac+Chair, an award winning evacuation chair, a variety of products branded under ParAid Medical brand including patient trolleys, specialist patient and casualty handling equipment including the many lifesaving accessories for paediatric transportation and restraints.

Job Description

  • To identify and extensively market research new stretcherdesign opportunities forthe transportation of neonates in medical ambulances in the domestic market, European Union and the rest of the world.
  • To analyse existing products, Customers, and known key performance indicators (KPI’s). Establish steering group, audit of current EU regulations on crash test performance of transportation devices in medical ambulances.
  • To research and identify new materials and test new design concepts/ideas for new and existing market opportunities.
  • Design and manage the entire product line life cycle from strategic planning and design to production methodologies.
  • To future proof designs to meet envisaged UK/EU government legislation.
  • To lead product liability accreditation and quality marks application and approval to meet or exceed envisaged new UK/EU standards.
  • To document the processes relating to the 24 month programme.
  • To produce design process manuals and final reports.
  • To prove cost savings through the use of software crash simulation instead of costly MIRA crash testing.
  • Specifying market requirements for current and future products using government legislation, conducting market research supported by on-going visits to customers and non-customers.
  • Driving a solution set across development teams (primarily Development/Engineering, and Marketing Communications) through market requirements, product contract, and positioning.
  • To monitor competitor activity and support the marketing manager and other colleagues within the organisation.Developing and implementing a company-wide go-to-market plan, working with all departments to execute.
  • To build trust, value others, communicate effectively, drive execution, foster innovation, collaborate with others, solve problems creatively and demonstrate high integrity.
  • To reduce manufacturing costs, through the use of new manufacturing methods and materials.
  • To further develop and establish the turnkey solution for new business in new markets. To produce updated information for the e-commerce website. To generate new sales/clients.
  • The Product Design and Manufacturing Associate will also be known as the KTP Associate.

It is envisaged that 10% of your time will be spent on market research and related activities, 30% on design development and 60% on production design and related activities. The university and the company reserve the right to vary these proportions during the fixed term of the contract.

Professional Development Opportunities Provided

This position provides the Associate with the opportunity to pursue research studies to a higher degree level of MA, MSc. MPhil or PhD; and gain a Diploma in Management qualification. If the postholder chooses to pursue a higher degree with agreement from the company and the university, the responsibility of the course fees remains solely with the postholder.

Requirements of the Postholder:

Qualifications

  • Good honours or higher degree in anEngineering Product Design and Manufacturing related discipline. Subject specialisations in medical productswould be an advantage. A graduate with the above qualifications with an interest in product development and manufacturingwill be preferable.
  • A strong understanding of customer and market dynamics and requirements.
  • Experience of developing, maintaining and delivering on marketing and product development strategies to meet company objectives.
  • Software Skills in one of the leading 3D software systems e.g. SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS. Would be preferable.
  • Some design experience preferable; should have strong creative, analytical and practical 3D full scale prototyping skills.

Key Skills and Experience

Team Skills

Effective team working will be essential to ensuring the appropriateness of the market research report or designs in best satisfying all needs and constraints, and in taking maximum advantage of available resources for timely delivery of prototyped products.

Self & Task Management

Ability to adapt to changing demands and accept responsibility for the effective management of tasks within agreed parameters to meet business objectives.

Research Skills

Ability to co-ordinate workload in conjunction with the in-house marketing function, and to collaborate as necessary with the in-house marketing function to analyse, interpret and critique the findings of the market research exercises in order to ensure alignment with the overall ambition to diversify and extend EVAC+CHAIR’s existing product range. A primary project objective is to identify and define credible marketing opportunities and problems; generate, refine, and evaluate the marketing actions; monitor marketing performance, and support the inputs to improve the marketing process. It will be desirable for the postholder to have knowledge and understanding of research information, data collection processes and the methods to report such.

Pedagogic Skills

Ability to apply sound processes that support research, teaching and learning activities of Birmingham City University.

Client Development and Customer Satisfaction

Ability to meet the expectations of clients through a sound understanding of their requirements and a commitment to continuous improvement of the end product.

Experience

Some industrial experience preferable; should have a strong Engineering Product Design and Manufacturing processes for the transportation of neonates market. Experience in manufacturing, production methodologies will be preferable. Knowledge in 3D modelling and visual communication will be desirable.

Demonstrable experience in leading design to manufacture of products will be an advantage.

Technical Competencies

Possess the correct level of technical and professional knowledge and skills relevant to the role and specialist subject area, and the ability to apply those skills appropriately to ensure the achievement of business goals and personal objectives.

  • Competency in applied market research methodology.
  • Demonstrate marketing research skills and company product knowledge.
  • An innovative and creative designer using innovative new materials as the main component in new product development.
  • Knowledge and use of 3D software such as ANSYS, Solidworks or other leading 3D industry strength simulation software.
  • Management skills, project management, product and materials costing, presentation skills, ability to work as a team member, exposure to customers and suppliers.
  • A realistic understanding of business and professional practice.
Business and Commercial Awareness

Understanding of the business, its goals, the market sectors in which it operates and the relationship between its main activities.

  • Experience of developing, maintaining and delivering on market research to meet company objectives.
  • Understanding of some key areas of government policy and how they impact the business. Responding to policy consultations, particularly those of a technical nature leading to product liability accreditation.

Terms of Post

The post will be offered as a twenty fourmonths fixed term KTP Project post.

The post holder will be employed on a Birmingham City University contract. Standard BCU conditions of service apply. However, the Associate will be based at the premises of EVAC+CHAIR inBirminghamand will be expected to comply with the Company’s hours of work, practices and holiday conditions.

NB:

  1. The university reserves the right to vary the duties and the responsibilities of the staff under conditions prescribed in national agreements. The above duties may be altered to suit the future needs of the services.
  2. The post holder may occasionally be asked to work outside of normal office hours.
  3. Staff are liable to serve at any of the University’s places of employment or sites of any organisation working with the university as may be required.

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