AssetCool
Research Development Laboratory Manager
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Role: R&D Lab and Workshop Manager
Location: Leeds (Batley)
Do you want to work with the 15th fastest-growing startup in Europe? If so, you’re in the right place.
About AssetCool
AssetCool is one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups, building the fastest path to more power on the grid.
We’re tackling one of the most urgent challenges in the global energy transition: grid congestion. Electricity demand is rising fast; driven by electrification, AI and data centres. While traditional grid upgrades take years, demand exists today. The grid isn’t ready.
AssetCool delivers robotic grid upgrades that physically increase the capacity of existing transmission lines by up to 30%, without rebuilding infrastructure. Using advanced robotics and proprietary photonic coatings, we unlock data-centre-scale capacity in weeks to months, not years and at a fraction of the cost and disruption of conventional approaches.
Our technology goes beyond capacity. We reduce losses, prevent corrosion, cut corona noise and generate high-value operational data that supports smarter grid operation and maintenance. Our systems are already deployed globally, and we just raised a big funding round from leading energy and climate investors.
AssetCool is one of the most innovation-driven companies in the UK energy sector and we’re scaling fast! If you’re ambitious, mission-driven and excited to work on real deployments that strengthen the industry that really matters, AssetCool is where you can make it happen.
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive R&D Lab and Workshop Manager to join our expanding team in Leeds. This critical role is designed to eliminate operational bottlenecks, accelerate our R&D prototyping cycles, and maximize workplace safety and efficiency.
Currently, our engineering team splits its focus between technical system-level development, hands-on workshop fabrication, and the organizational overhead of running a facility. As the single owner of the R&D lab environment and prototyping workshop, you will establish high-level workspace standards, resolve inefficiencies surrounding tool availability, lab organization, and prototype execution. This position serves as a force-multiplier: by executing practical hardware builds and maintaining a world-class lab workspace, you will directly enable our design engineers to focus on core design and problem-solving, accelerating our development timelines
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Key Responsibilities
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Lab Management & Operational Efficiency
- Take total ownership of the cleanliness, safety, physical layout, and day-to-day operational efficiency of the R&D lab spaces.
- Implement robust tool tracking, organized storage, and 5S workplace organization methodologies to eliminate lost/missing equipment and minimize duplicate tool purchases.
- Manage health and safety compliance, driving standards to a top-class proactive level, including the oversight of chemical safety (COSHH) systems.
- Maintain inventory control of R&D consumables, materials, and spare parts, ensuring essential items are always readily available.
- Support the engineering team with procurement, including sourcing and executing hardware component purchasing.
- Standardise lab documentation and own safety and operational training programs within the engineering department.
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Workshop Operations & Prototyping Execution
- Oversee and execute the physical assembly of custom engineering test rigs, physical prototypes, and complex structural hardware.
- Manage equipment commissioning, preventative maintenance cycles, and calibration schedules for shared laboratory hardware.
- Proactively drive cross-functional facility tasks and operational infrastructure upgrades to optimize the lab for high-speed, rapid iteration.
- Perform hands-on manufacturing and modification of metal, plastic, and mechanical parts (including cutting, drilling, and bending).
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain workshop machinery, including 3D printers, laser and water jet cutters, power tools, and prototype equipment.
Required Skills & Experience
- Proven experience working as a mechanical technician, laboratory manager, workshop supervisor, or in a similar practical engineering support role.
- Demonstrated leadership capability in implementing asset management systems, tool tracking, and structured workplace methodologies (e.g., 5S).
- Strong hands-on fabrication skills, including experience building mechanical assemblies, working with aluminium extrusions, using workshop machinery, and operating 3D printers.
- Solid practical understanding of Health & Safety standards, risk mitigation, facility governance, and chemical tracking protocols (such as COSHH).
- Proactive, self-motivated attitude with the ability to balance multiple practical and administrative priorities simultaneously.
- A Degree, HND, or HNC in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline, or a completed Advanced Apprenticeship / NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant practical engineering discipline.
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Desirable Skills & Experience
- Hands-on experience with manual and automated workshop machinery, including lathes, CNC mills, and laser cutters.
- Proficiency with hands-on electronics, including soldering and basic electrical wiring for prototype systems, sub-assemblies, and test rigs.
- Competency in basic CAD design software alongside the ability to interpret, critique, or create detailed technical and design drawings.
- Experience driving procurement, managing technical suppliers, optimizing consumable inventory levels, and maintaining facility documentation.
Why Join AssetCool?
- Work on groundbreaking technology revolutionising the power grid.
- Fast-growing startup with significant industry traction and large-scale projects.
- Collaborative, innovation-driven team with exciting career growth opportunities.
- Competitive salary and flexible work options
Research shows that some candidates may hesitate to apply unless they meet every listed requirement. If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be exactly who we're looking for, either for this role or another opportunity within our team.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We’re committed to building an inclusive, supportive workplace where everyone can thrive, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability or any specific requirements and need adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, just let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
We are not looking for agency support currently.
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