Head of Mechanical Design, R&D Manager

At Ascom, we are committed to building technology that makes a real difference. Our products support critical decision-making in healthcare, industry and other demanding environments by helping ensure that important information reaches the right people at the right time.

We are now looking for a Head of Mechanical Design, R&D Manager to join our R&D organization in Göteborg. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly skilled engineering team and shape the development of reliable, innovative, and high-quality technology for Ascom’s products and solutions.

About the Role

As Head of Mechanical Design, you will lead and develop a team of engineers and technical specialists responsible for the mechanical design of mobile handsets, chargers, wall-mounted devices and associated accessories across Ascom's global R&D organization.

Your primary responsibility will be to create the conditions for the team to deliver effectively. You will provide clear direction, establish priorities, secure the right competencies and resources, and support the professional growth of your team members. You will also contribute technical insight and sound engineering judgement when addressing complex development challenges.

The role combines people leadership, technical leadership, resource management, and cross-functional collaboration. You will work closely with other R&D disciplines, Product Management, Quality, Regulatory, Supply, and additional stakeholders to support the development, industrialization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Ascom’s products.

As Head of Mechanical Design, You Will:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of mechanical design engineers and technical specialists.
• Provide hands-on technical support and guidance in selected development activities when appropriate.
• Create an inclusive, collaborative, and high-performing team environment.
• Set clear priorities and objectives aligned with R&D strategy, product roadmaps, development projects, and business needs.
• Manage individual and team performance through regular follow-up, constructive feedback, coaching, and development planning.
• Ensure that the team has the appropriate capacity, competencies, tools, and ways of working to fulfil its responsibilities.
• Plan and manage resources, competencies, and the team budget. Monitor progress, deliverables, relevant KPIs, technical risks, and dependencies.
• Provide technical direction and support sound engineering decisions throughout the product lifecycle.
• Oversee mechanical design activities, including architecture, design reviews, verification, troubleshooting, and design documentation.
• Promote robust, maintainable, testable, and cost-effective design solutions.
• Ensure that development activities follow applicable quality requirements, regulatory expectations, internal processes, and engineering standards.
• Support product development from early concepts and feasibility studies through development, verification, industrialization, maintenance, and end-of-life activities.
• Strengthen design practices, technical governance, documentation, and knowledge sharing within the mechanical design discipline.
• Identify technical, operational, resource, and competency risks and ensure that appropriate mitigation actions are established.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes, tools, methods, and ways of working.
• Support recruitment and onboarding and ensure that team members remain current with relevant technologies, industry developments, and Ascom’s products and solutions.
• Collaborate closely across functions, disciplines, teams, and geographies to ensure effective communication and alignment.
• Contribute to innovation while maintaining focus on business priorities, product quality, customer value, and delivery commitments.
• Act as an active member of the R&D management team and lead or participate in broader R&D initiatives.

Your Profile

Experience and Background

We believe you have:

• A BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline.
• Solid professional experience in mechanical product development.
• Experience leading engineers or technical specialists, either as a line manager, team leader, technical leader, or engineering manager.
• Strong understanding of mechanical product development across the product lifecycle.
• Experience working in a cross-functional R&D environment.
• Experience collaborating across functions, teams, and geographical locations in an international organization.
• Experience from a regulated or quality-driven product development environment.
• Experience within medical devices, healthcare technology, telecommunications, embedded products, or another relevant technology sector is advantageous.
• Fluent in written and spoken Swedish & English.

Technical Knowledge

You bring solid knowledge in several of the following areas:

• Mechanical system architecture and product design.
• Injection moulding and plastic part design.
• Die-casting, sheet metal, and machined components.
• Material selection and material properties.
• Tolerance analysis and GD&T.
• CAD tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Design reviews and technical decision-making.
• Design for Manufacturability (DfM)
• Design for Assembly (DfA)
• Reliability engineering
• Environmental testing (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity)
• Supplier and tooling management

Key Competencies

You combine technical credibility with strong leadership capability. In particular, you demonstrate:

• Technical excellence: You can understand complex technical challenges, ask the right questions, and guide the team towards robust solutions.
• People leadership: You create clarity, trust, accountability, and opportunities for others to grow.
• Decision-making: You evaluate alternatives and make well-informed decisions while balancing quality, risk, time, cost, and business needs.
• Analytical thinking: You can identify root causes, structure complex problems, and develop practical solutions.
• Communication and influence: You communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders and can build alignment across functions.
• Collaboration: You develop constructive working relationships across disciplines, departments, and geographical boundaries.
• Delegation: You empower team members while maintaining appropriate accountability and follow-up.
• Customer focus: You consider how technical choices influence product quality, usability, reliability, and customer value.
• Resilience: You remain composed, constructive, and solution-oriented when navigating ambiguity, changing priorities, and complex technical challenges.
• Continuous improvement: You actively improve engineering practices, processes, tools, and team capabilities.

Why Join Ascom?

At Ascom, you will:

• Lead a skilled engineering team whose work contributes directly to meaningful technology.
• Influence the technical direction and future capability of an important R&D discipline.
• Work with complex products and solutions in an international, cross-functional environment.
• Contribute to innovation, product quality, and continuous improvement across global R&D.
• Have the opportunity to develop both people and technology.
• Be part of a collaborative organization where technical expertise and effective leadership are equally important.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced mechanical engineering leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex technical challenges, and delivering high-quality products in a collaborative environment, we would be pleased to hear from you!