Research And Development Manager

R&D Manager – Robotics

Location: Ghent, Belgium

Work Model: Hybrid

Language Requirements: English + Dutch or French

About the Company:

We are partnering with an innovative SME operating within the robotics sector, developing intelligent systems that combine software, hardware and automation technologies for real-world industrial applications.

As part of their continued growth, they are looking for an R&D Manager to lead multidisciplinary engineering activities and help shape the future direction of their technology roadmap.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to someone who enjoys balancing technical decision-making, team management and product innovation within a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate R&D activities across software, electronics and robotics engineering teams
• Define technical direction and oversee the development of next-generation robotic systems
• Work closely with leadership to align R&D strategy with business objectives
• Drive innovation from concept through to prototype and product delivery
• Support architecture and technical decision-making across multiple engineering domains
• Manage technical planning, timelines and resource allocation for development projects
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers and external technology partners where required
• Mentor and support engineers across different technical disciplines
• Help establish scalable engineering processes and development best practices

Required Background:

Candidates should have strong technical experience in at least 3 or more of the following areas:

• Embedded Systems
• Computer Vision
• Robotics
• Hardware Development
• Electronics Engineering
• Application-Level Software Development

In addition, you should have:

• Previous experience leading engineering or R&D teams
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary product development
• Experience working within fast-paced SME or innovation-driven environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Fluent English communication skills
• Dutch or French language capability

What’s on Offer:

• Opportunity to lead innovation within a growing robotics company
• Hybrid working model with flexibility
• High-impact role with technical ownership and strategic influence
• Collaborative engineering culture with strong growth potential
• Competitive salary and benefits package

If you are interested in hearing more, please apply or get in touch directly for a confidential discussion.