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Research and Development (R&D) Design Manager

As a Research and Development (R&D) Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and shaping the future of products and technologies. Your work not only influences the success of your company but also contributes to advancements that can transform industries and improve lives globally.

Research and Development (R&D) Design Manager

Engineering and Technology

AI IMPACT

AI EXPOSURE TODAY30

20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST72%

THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB

STARTING PAY£35,000 - £45,000

REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.

THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.

AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.

This job holds up well against AI

AI exposure today is modest on our index (30), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior R&D Design ManagerAssists in project management and supports senior managers in the development of new products.£35,000 - £45,000

2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level R&D Design ManagerManages projects independently, leading teams and liaising with clients to ensure successful product development.£50,000 - £70,000

3PEAK CAREERSenior R&D Design ManagerLeads strategic initiatives, mentors junior staff, and drives innovation across the organisation.£80,000+

Apprenticeship listings for this career → (June 2026 snapshot; check closing dates on the official service)

The degree route

Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.

🎓Music TechnologyLeeds Beckett University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£45,000 median

🎓Astronautics and Space EngineeringThe University of Surrey · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£41,500 median

🎓Electrical & Electronic EngineeringColeg Sir Gar · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£40,000 median

🎓Electronic Engineering with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£35,000 median

🎓Mechanical and Offshore EngineeringRobert Gordon University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£33,000 median

🎓Mechanical EngineeringThe University of Bath · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£33,000 median

All Engineering and Technology courses as cards →

There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.

Degree subjects that lead this way

Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.

Music TechnologyLeeds Beckett University · Degree Astronautics and Space EngineeringThe University of Surrey · Degree Electrical & Electronic EngineeringColeg Sir Gar · Degree Electronic Engineering with a Year in IndustryRoyal Holloway and Bedford New College · Degree Mechanical and Offshore EngineeringRobert Gordon University · Degree Mechanical EngineeringThe University of Bath · Degree