Design Manager

Location: Stoke-on-Trent

Design Manager - Mechanical Engineering Salary: £65,000 - £75,000 + Relocation Support (for the right candidate)

Location:

Stoke‑on‑Trent area
Industry: Advanced Engineering & Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Type:
Permanent, Full‑Time

About the Company

A long‑established UK engineering group with years of heritage, this organisation is known for designing and manufacturing large, complex, high‑integrity mechanical products used across global industrial, defence, and energy markets. They operate their own machining facilities, producing precision‑engineered castings, CNC‑machined components, and heavy‑duty assemblies. The business is extremely busy, growing, and investing heavily in engineering capability. This is a company where engineering still happens on the shop floor, not just behind a desk, and where design teams work closely with manufacturing, machining, testing, and customers to deliver robust, real‑world solutions.

The Role

This is a senior, hands‑on Design Manager position, ideal for someone who still enjoys modelling, drafting, problem‑solving, and simulation work, while also leading a small but highly capable design team. You will take ownership of the full design lifecycle, from concept development through to manufacturing support, ensuring designs are safe, manufacturable, and optimised for heavy‑duty industrial use.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Mechanical Design activities across complex engineered products and large‑scale assemblies
Produce 3D models and detailed drawings using Solid Works
Build and run FEA and CFD simulations to validate performance, stresses, and flow characteristics
Provide technical leadership to a small design team, mentoring less experienced engineers
Work closely with CNC machining, foundry, and production teams to ensure manufacturability
Support lifting, handling, and installation considerations for large, heavy components
Drive continuous improvement and bring new ideas, methods, and design approaches
Manage engineering documentation, standards, and compliance requirements

Required Experience

Minimum 10 years in mechanical design within heavy engineering, CNC machining, castings, or similar
Strong background in Solid Works, 3D modelling, and detailed drafting
Proven ability to run FEA and CFD simulations
Experience designing large components, lifting points, handling systems, or heavy assemblies
Demonstrable experience in a Design Manager, Lead Engineer, or Senior Engineer role
Comfortable being hands‑on, practical, and closely involved with manufacturing teams
Strong communicator with the confidence to challenge, improve, and innovate

What's In It for You

£65k-£75k salary, depending on experience
Relocation support available for the right candidate
Join a financially strong, extremely busy engineering group with long‑term stability
Work on large, technically challenging, high‑integrity products
A role where your ideas genuinely shape the engineering direction
Opportunity to modernise processes, introduce new tools, and influence design strategy
A company that values engineering excellence and invests in its people

Ideal Candidate Snapshot

Experienced Design Manager
Deep experience with CNC machining, castings, or heavy industrial products
Strong analytical mindset with proven simulation capability
Practical, grounded, and comfortable working around large engineered components
Wants a role with variety, ownership, and real engineering challenge

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