Technical Team Manager (Playing Manager)

Are you a technical leader who thrives on staying hands-on? Do you excel at bridging the gap between innovative R&D and robust, industrialized product deliveries?

Unplugged is a global leader in industrial inductive technologies. We develop worldclass wireless power and highspeed data solutions that operate reliably where traditional technologies fail – primarily in harsh subsea environments within Oil & Gas and the emerging subsea defence sector.

As part of the Blue House group, Unplugged works closely with our sister company, Blue Logic. While Blue Logic specializes in subsea interfaces, valves, and tools, Unplugged focuses on inductive charging and gigabit data transfer, including subsea electronics and software integration.

The Role – A Playing Manager
We are looking for a Technical Team Manager who combines strong leadership skills with genuine hands-on technical engagement. In this key role, you will lead a dedicated team of 6 engineers while remaining actively involved in project execution, productization, and Life Cycle Management (LCM) of our products.

Your mission is to transform high‑end R&D projects into standardized, industrial off-the-shelf products that can be sold and delivered repeatedly – without extensive customer-specific adaptations.

The role reports directly to the CTO and plays a central part in aligning technology, execution, and collaboration across the Blue House group.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management: Lead, develop, and motivate the technical product development team (6 people). Foster a safety-focused and performance-driven culture aligned with Blue House values: One Team, One Step Ahead, One Sustainable Future.

• Project & Product Management: Own and manage a portfolio of R&D projects and product deliveries. Drive product industrialization, standardization, and readiness for scaled delivery.

• Operational Execution: Combine structured project planning with hands-on contribution to product industrialization and deliveries in cooperation with Blue Logic. Mechanical 3D modelling experience in Autodesk Inventor is an advantage.

• Intercompany Coordination: Act as the primary technical interface between Unplugged and Blue Logic. Ensure high quality coordination across engineering, supply chain, and operations within the Blue House group, especially with CTO and COO.

• Administration: Personnel management, budgeting, performance reviews, and resource planning.

Qualifications

• Technical Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electronics, Software, Cybernetics, Mechatronics, or similar).

• Experience: 5–10 years of relevant experience in product engineering, technical leadership, and/or R&D. Experience with 3D CAD tools is an advantage to support the productization and design process.

• Leadership: Proven ability to motivate people and manage a team, while maintaining a proactive, “can-do” mindset.

• Technical Insight: A strong understanding of product lifecycles, from design and prototyping to industrial production and maintenance.

• Language: Professional proficiency in spoken and written English. Norwegian is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Personal Attributes

• Structured & Analytical: Able to manage high operational complexity and customer-driven priorities.

• Strong Communicator: Builds trust across teams, leadership, and partner organizations.

• Hands-on Approach: You find professional satisfaction in "finishing the job" - standardizing products and ensuring they are ready for the real world.

• Commercially Aware: You understand the balance between technical excellence and cost-efficient execution.

Why Join Unplugged?

• A central role in a small, but world-leading technology company with great growth ambitions, at the forefront of subsea innovation.

• Strong backing and close collaboration within the Blue House group.

• Significant influence on products, teams, and strategic technical direction.

• An open, agile culture with ambitious engineering goals.

• Excellent opportunities for professional growth as the organization and portfolio expand.

About Unplugged

Unplugged™ is a pioneer in wireless power systems, delivering modules from 30 W to 25 kW with up to 95% efficiency. Our technology powers the world’s longest-resident subsea drones and is currently being integrated into NATO DIANA programs and the next generation of subsea robotics.

Join us in unplugging the future of subsea operations! https://www.unplugged.no