Technical Manager
Technical Manager
As Technical Manager, you coordinate the full technical program—planning each phase, aligning subgroups, managing risks and budgets, and ensuring deliverables meet regulations and deadlines. You work hand-in-hand with the Chief Engineer so designs are integrated, documented, and ready for scrutineering, testing, and race operations.
Program Planning & Systems Coordination
From phase gates to scrutineering—own the plan and the proof.
Highlights
- Phase planning & critical path
- Cross-team syncs & risk management
- Docs, regulations & scrutineering
What you willl do
- Plan each project phase and major deadlines, together with the Chief Engineer.
- Run weekly meetings with the Chief Engineer and each subgroup (Electrical, Mechanical, Aero, Structural, Software, Strategy) to review progress, blockers, improvements and risks.
- Review technical budgets and give green light for major technical orders.
- Master the challenge regulations; translate them into clear, testable requirements and checks, andn eventually know them by heart.
- Ensure all technical documentation is written, reviewed, and submitted on time to the organization.
- Lead static scrutineering preparation and execution; define evidence packs, procedures, and acceptance criteria.
- Book and coordinate testing time early; secure facilities, permits, staffing, and logistics.
- Establish change-control for late design updates; protect schedule and integration stability.
- Coordinate build-readiness reviews, tooling/spares lists, and on-vehicle validation plans to ensure smooth assembly and track readiness.
Are you...
- Someone that thrives under pressure, can handle setbacks, and adapts quickly to new challenges?
- A person that communicates clearly and manages time effectively?
- An active listener who can connect information from different sources?
- Someone that already has technical knowledge and has the curiosity and capability to quickly grasp the basics of every engineering subgroup?
- Able to zoom out to see the bigger picture and understand how all parts fit together?
- A person who shows leadership and has the courage to stand your ground on what’s best for the technical team?
We offer...
- A truly unique experience that will shape your life and make you a better engineer and professional. No other opportunity offers the depth, challenge, and learning that a project with the scope of solar racing can provide.
- The opportunity to get involved in management, whether it’s a path you’re curious about, or you simply want to experience what it’s like and what it takes to be a technical manager in a company or a top-level racing team.
- An office in which you will work together with your team and you will see the project be born, built and finished before all of you go to Australia.
- Becoming part of the family of Top Dutch, a group of people that have and still are deeply involved into what the team and project represents.
- An immense opportunity for networking with them and all the companies associated with the team.
- Of course, the experience includes a full trip to Australia, where you’ll spend about two months preparing for and competing in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge 2027 with your racing vehicle!
Program ManagementSystems EngineeringScheduling/GanttRisk/Issue TrackingBudget ControlRegulatory ComplianceDocumentation
Commitment: Full-time (project cycle Sept 2026 – Sept 2027); high involvement during build, tests, and race operations
Have questions or curious about this position? Reach out at cala.gonzalez@solarracinggroningen.nl.
Timeline
- ✓
Applications open
November 2025 - 1st March 2026CV + motivation (portfolio if relevant).
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Interview Round 1
January - March, 2026Talk about who you are.
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Interview Round 2
February - April, 2026Discuss your assignment approach and your qualifications. It depends on when the first interview is.
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Selection
end of April, 2026Panel & culture fit.