Head of Design

Location: Cambridgeshire

Head of Design – Mechanical Engineering

Location:

Cambridge
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus + benefits

Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Head of Design to lead our Design Department in developing high-quality, innovative, and commercially competitive products for the food industry. The role combines hands-on design with leadership responsibilities, mentoring engineers, and driving continuous improvement across design processes.

Key Responsibilities:

* Lead the creation of 3D parts and assemblies in Solid Works, producing comprehensive manufacturing drawing packs, including BOMs, laser profiles, and work orders.

* Develop and implement design standards, processes, and best practices to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and company standards.

* Review and approve drawings, conduct design reviews, and ensure data quality across the team.

* Plan and coordinate the daily activities of the design team, providing guidance and resolving technical queries.

* Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

* Work closely with Project Engineers to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards.

* Capture design changes from manufacturing, installation, or commissioning and incorporate them into future designs.

* Liaise with customers and suppliers for design reviews, approvals, and sourcing of materials and components.

* Conduct site visits for surveys and customer liaison.

* Identify cost-saving opportunities and improvements in manufacturing processes and product designs.

* Support cross-functional teams with technical expertise and contribute to departmental KPIs and performance monitoring.

Requirements:

* Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

* Proven senior design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including transferring bespoke designs into production.

* Experience leading or mentoring a design team and delivering projects to schedule, budget, and quality requirements.

* Proficiency in Solid Works 3D and AutoCAD 2D; experience with sheet metal and fabrication design desirable.

* Knowledge of the food processing equipment industry advantageous.

Skills & Attributes:

* Strong problem-solving, organisational, and time-management skills.

* Ability to generate innovative, technically differentiated solutions.

* Understanding of system integration and business impact of design decisions.

* Excellent communication skills for cross-functional and external collaboration.

* Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including occasional weekends.

Benefits:

* Competitive salary £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus

* 25 days holiday + bank holidays

* Pension scheme

* Professional development and career progression opportunities