Newcastle-based subsea technology and engineering company Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD) has made a series of senior appointments and internal promotions following a period of workforce expansion.
The business has recruited 28 permanent and fixed-term staff since January 2026, bringing its total headcount to 314.
Among the additions is Ryan Lumsden, who has been appointed product line manager for remotely operated vehicles, and Paul Green, who joins as head of continuous improvement. In addition, long-standing employee Hui Yan has been promoted to innovation technical manager after more than ten years with the business.
Lumsden, who brings approximately 30 years of subsea industry experience to the role, will oversee product portfolio development. The appointments follow capital investment in the business, including the launch of the £3 million SMD Tech Works facility at Neptune Energy Park on the River Tyne to support the development and manufacture of subsea technologies.
“I’ve known of SMD since I first joined the industry and have watched the business’ evolution over that time,” said Lumsden. “What stood out most was the direction the company is heading, the people driving it, and the willingness to challenge conventional approaches in pursuit of next-generation technologies.
“I’m particularly inspired by SMD’s approach to innovation. There is a genuine willingness to collaborate with customers and explore new ways of working. Coupled with the company’s investment in its people and facilities, it makes now an exciting time to join the business.”
Chairman Mike Jones added: “We have seen around a 10 per cent increase in our workforce in the past year, which reflects both the strength of the business and our confidence in the future of the industry.
“As a proud North East organisation with a global customer base, we remain committed to investing in regional talent, creating highly skilled jobs and supporting the future growth of the UK’s subsea engineering sector.
“These senior appointments strengthen our capabilities across product development, innovation and operational excellence. Together, they will play an important role as we continue to pursue electrification, support future product launches, and meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
In October 2025, SMD expanded its regional footprint by opening its third North East facility, SMD Tech Works, at Neptune Energy Park in Walker. The 1,800-square-metre site includes dedicated research laboratories and a specialized test tank designed to accelerate subsea equipment development and support the company’s long-term commercial revenue target of £150 million by 2030.
Image source: SMD
