Design Manager

Lightning HR PTY LTD; Hervey Bay; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Lightning HR PTY LTD is seeking an experienced Design Manager – Manufacturing & Engineering to lead the drafting and design team in an established Australian manufacturing business. The role requires ownership of the design function, while remaining hands-on with technical design, drafting and project delivery.

You will design mechanical and electrical projects, develop new products, and create 3D models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.

Qualifications

• Strong design and drafting background suitable for management.
• Ability to lead projects and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment and ISO 9001 context.

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing a variety of mechanical and electrical projects.
• Concept and new product development.
• Creating detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.
• Managing projects from initial concept through to implementation.
• Working closely with production teams to ensure designs are practical and achievable.
• Liaising with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Managing and maintaining drafting libraries and drawing documentation.
• Developing and maintaining work instructions and drawing office procedures.
• Ensuring drawings and documentation meet required quality standards.
• Working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
• Supporting continuous improvement across design, drafting and manufacturing processes.
• Providing guidance and leadership within the design and drafting function.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Design Manager – Manufacturing & Engineering

An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Design Manager to join our client, a well-established and growing Australian manufacturing business.

With significant new contracts secured and a strong pipeline of upcoming projects, our client is expanding their Drafting and Design team and is looking for someone who can take ownership of the design function while remaining hands-on across technical design, drafting and project delivery.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys seeing a project progress from initial concept and design right through to manufacturing and implementation.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will work closely with customers, production teams, suppliers, tradespeople and other key stakeholders to ensure projects are designed accurately, practically and efficiently.

Your responsibilities will include:

Designing and developing a variety of mechanical and electrical projects

Concept and new product development

Creating detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks

Managing projects from initial concept through to implementation

Working closely with production teams to ensure designs are practical and achievable

Liaising with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders

Managing and maintaining drafting libraries and drawing documentation

Developing and maintaining work instructions and drawing office procedures

Ensuring drawings and documentation meet required quality standards

Working within an ISO 9001 Quality Management System

Supporting continuous improvement across design, drafting and manufacturing processes

Providing guidance and leadership within the design and drafting function

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who brings strong technical capability combined with the confidence to manage projects and communicate effectively across a manufacturing environment.

Ideally, you will have:

Strong experience in mechanical design, drafting or engineering

Advanced proficiency using SolidWorks

Experience producing 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings

Previous experience within a manufacturing, fabrication or engineering environment

Experience taking projects from concept through to production

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and practical design principles

Excellent attention to detail

Strong project management and organisational skills

The ability to communicate confidently with customers, suppliers, trades and production teams

Leadership or Design Manager experience highly regarded

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This isn't a role where your designs simply stay on a screen. You'll see your work move through the workshop and become real, finished products.

Our client offers:

Interesting, meaningful projects -Work across specialised builds, including emergency response vehicles, defence-related projects and custom manufacturing solutions.

Growing business – New contracts and continued growth are creating genuine long-term opportunities.

Career development – The business actively supports training, development and progression.

Collaborative environment – Work alongside experienced tradespeople, engineers, designers and production teams.

Strong team culture – Join a business where people know each other, work together and genuinely value individual contribution.

Quality & safety focus – Work within an organisation that takes safety, quality and workmanship seriously.

Interested?

If you're an experienced Design Manager, Senior Mechanical Designer, Draftsperson or Design Engineer with strong SolidWorks capability and you're ready for a role where you can have genuine input into projects from concept through to completion, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today for a confidential discussion.

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