Design Manager

Ready to lead a design function, not just work within one? This is a Design Manager role with real ownership, leading the team behind innovative products in one of the fastest-growing industries around. As a Design Manager you will lead and develop the mechanical design team, taking ownership of design projects from concept through to manufacture while setting the standards, priorities and direction the team works to.

You will still be hands-on with Solid Works where it counts, but your focus shifts to leading people, managing workloads and making sure the team delivers high-quality, manufacturable designs on time. The products support an industry whose importance is growing fast on the back of AI and surging digital demand, so it is a genuine chance to lead a capable team through a period of real growth.

If you are an experienced designer ready to step up into management, this role gives you the authority and the team to make your mark.

• Leading and developing the mechanical design team, including mentoring, supervision and performance
• Owning mechanical design projects from concept through to production release
• Setting and maintaining design standards, processes and quality across the team
• Planning and coordinating design workloads, resource and priorities to hit project deadlines
• Reviewing and quality-checking design work for accuracy, manufacturability and adherence to standards
• Producing and overseeing detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies and manufacturing drawings in Solid Works
• Overseeing site surveys and their translation into accurate design briefs
• Liaising with manufacturers and suppliers to resolve technical issues during production
• Supporting procurement with materials knowledge, technical input and design-for-manufacture improvements
• Working with senior management to align the design function with wider business goals

To succeed as a Design Manager you will need:

• Proven experience in mechanical design, ideally with team leadership or management responsibility
• Strong Solid Works capability, including CAD, Sheet Metal, Assemblies and Weldments
• The ability to lead, mentor and develop a design team in a technical environment
• Strong mechanical engineering knowledge with a practical understanding of manufacturing processes
• Experience setting design standards and managing project workloads and priorities
• The ability to interpret and translate site survey data into accurate designs
• Excellent problem-solving skills, able to break down complex technical issues
• A degree or HND in Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Product Design or similar
• The ability to manage multiple projects and a team in a fast-paced environment

As a Design Manager you will receive:

• A salary of up to £55,000 per annum
• Monday to Friday, office-based
• The chance to lead the design function behind innovative products in a fast-growing sector
• Training and support to develop your leadership and technical skills
• A supportive, collaborative working environment