CAD Engineering Lead

SF Recruitment; Tamworth; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing client in Tamworth is looking for a CAD Engineering Lead to oversee a team of design engineers. The ideal candidate will have extensive CAD expertise, proven leadership experience, and a strong background in manufacturing processes. Responsibilities include generating CAD drawings, ensuring documentation quality, and leading technical reviews. This role is suited for an experienced engineer seeking to step into leadership or a design manager looking to refocus their role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in technical design or engineering roles.
• 2+ years of team leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 2-3 design engineers.
• Generate accurate CAD drawings for customer-specific orders.
• Perform comprehensive technical reviews of Sales Orders.

Skills

Proficient in CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar)

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Effective communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design, or related technical field preferred

Tools

SAP Business One or similar ERP systems

Job description

CAD Engineering Lead
Tamworth
Up to GBP40,000 DOE

SF Recruitment are recruiting for a CAD Engineering Lead to join our established manufacturing client. They are seeking an experienced Engineer to lead a team of 2-3 employees and oversee the technical design and documentation processes for their manufacturing operations. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with team leadership, requiring strong CAD skills, attention to detail, and the ability to bridge engineering, sales, and production functions.

This role would suit an experienced CAD Engineer looking for a step up or an already experienced design manager looking to take a step back.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership
- Lead and develop a team of 2-3 design engineers/technicians/draughtsmen
- Provide technical guidance, training, and performance management
- Coordinate workload distribution and ensure deadlines are met
- Foster a collaborative environment focused on quality and continuous improvement

Design & Documentation
- Generate accurate CAD drawings for customer-specific orders
- Ensure all technical drawings meet industry standards and customer specifications
- Maintain design standards and drawing templates
- Review and approve technical documentation produced by team members

Technical Review & Quality Assurance
- Perform comprehensive technical reviews of Sales Orders against Customer Purchase Orders and original quotes
- Verify technical feasibility of proposed specifications
- Ensure alignment between customer requirements and company capabilities
- Identify and resolve discrepancies between customer and internal documentation

Cross-Functional Support
- Support New Product Development (NPD) initiatives as required and provide technical expertise during the product development lifecycle, including structural calculations and stress test modelling.
- Assist sales team with technical feasibility assessments
- Develop technical solutions for specific customer challenges
- Participate in customer meetings when technical expertise is required

Process Improvement
- Identify opportunities to streamline design and documentation processes
- Implement best practices for design efficiency and quality
- Maintain and update technical procedures and work instructions

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Design, or related technical field preferred
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in technical design or engineering roles
- 2+ years of team leadership or supervisory experience
- Experience in manufacturing environment

Technical Skills
- Proficient in CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar)
- Experience with SAP Business One or similar ERP systems
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and materials
- Knowledge of technical drawing standards and GD&T principles
- Familiarity with BOM structures and product configuration

Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent attention to detail and quality focus
- Effective communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously
- Customer service orientation and commercial awareness