Job Description

Kinneir Dufort (KD) is a world-class user-centred innovation and product development consultancy, specializing in the medical and consumer health sectors. As part of the SteriPack group, we collaborate globally with contract manufacturing facilities in Europe, the USA and Asia, alongside additional design and product development teams in New Jersey and Colorado.


We are looking for a Head of Engineering to lead our high-performing Engineering & Prototyping teams to shape the future of our expertise capabilities and inspire innovation.

About you

You will have proven experience working strategically with senior leaders across the business to identify and maximise opportunities for growth and improvement -- both within the Engineering & Prototyping team and the wider organisation.


In addition, you'll have played a key role in team development, operational performance, client management, and business development within design engineering, helping to drive the ongoing success of the team.


A strong understanding of medical device development and current trends in the healthcare sector is essential.

Your skills and experience

Whilst you do not need to meet all of these points, please ensure you meet the majority of them before making an application:

Proven experience in medical device development, ideally within a consultancy or fast-paced R&D environment. Demonstrable experience in selling large development programmes to external clients or stakeholders. Demonstrable experience of planning and delivering a variety of complex technical projects with multidisciplinary teams. Strong foundational knowledge and expertise to manage a broad range of mechanical engineering practices. Demonstrable strong commercial awareness including income, profitability, efficiency, cost, time and value to manage project budgets effectively. Be comfortable communicating with a variety of stakeholders with varying degrees of technical knowledge, external and internal. Understand risk management and project management, working under quality management systems and regulations such as ISO13485. Be comfortable working with Marketing and Sales to maximise the sales pipeline and win work for our team. Passionate about developing people at various stages of development. Be comfortable leading by example, with a proven track record of creating a positive, inclusive working culture.

The salary range for this role is in line with our Head of salary band: 71,400 to 106,000. You will be asked to state your desired salary as part of your application.

Why work with us?

KD offers interesting and varied work combined with a supportive team culture to provide a stimulating environment where you will have the opportunity to develop and learn from others. We offer flexible working policies where working patterns are agreed with our line managers, taking into account the role, needs of the individual, and the team.


We recognise that we are only as good as our people and we know how important it is to support our team.


We offer:

Performance-related company-wide bonus. Flexible hybrid working in line with our core hours (Mon-Thu, 9:30am-12:00pm & 2:00pm-4:00pm; Fri, 9:30am-12:00pm). Private healthcare for you and your family. Enhanced maternity and paternity leave. Salary exchange pension scheme. 25 days of annual leave, plus the option to purchase up to one working week and additional days for length of service. Access to our Employee Assistance Programme and digital wellbeing platform. Cycle to Work & Electric Vehicle Lease schemes. Death in service (x4 gross salary). Training and development opportunities, including dedicated learning days and regular knowledge-sharing sessions. A free lunch the first Monday of every month alongside our company-wide meeting. Free breakfast every Wednesday, and plenty of opportunities to socialise, including team-organized activities, summer and Christmas parties, and more.

About us

KD is based in an iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Bristol. Our vibrant workspace houses state-of-the-art labs, a design studio, usability suites, and collaborative meeting spaces. Nestled in a lively neighbourhood with independent shops, we're just a short walk from Park Street, the Harbourside, and St. Nick's Markets.


We are proud of our values:

Find a Way: We work as one team, combining our knowledge and experience to unite around a shared goal. We trust each other and do what's needed to get things done and exceed expectations.

Pull together: We believe anything is possible. When faced with challenges we take the initiative, using our creative spirit and determination to find bold solutions and deliver results that move us forward.

Care: We act with integrity, take pride in our work, and support each other. We each play our part to make a positive impact for our customers, our colleagues, and our planet.

Our diverse, multidisciplinary team spans research, design, human factors, engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and beyond. Together, we deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients ranging from global leaders to innovative start-ups, with a particular focus on medical devices, drug delivery, orthopaedics, and diagnostics.


Do we sound like a good match for you?


If you'd like to discuss the role or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need to make your application, we'd love to hear from you. If you think you might be the right person for us but want an informal chat first then get in touch via joinus@kinneirdufort.com.


Please note the deadline for this vacancy is the

29th of August

although we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we have a high level of applications. We look forward to hearing from you!

At KD we believe that designing for people means including all people, starting with the team behind the work. Our human-centred design ethos is rooted in empathy, and our values - pull together, find a way, and care - guide us in building a team that reflects the diversity of the world we design for.

We know that different perspectives lead to better ideas, stronger collaboration, and more meaningful outcomes. If you meet the skills and experience for this role, we welcome your application - whatever your background, identity, or path into design. What matters to us is that you share our belief in purposeful, people-first design.