Design Engineering Manager

PT Engineering & Manufacturing; Witney; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

PT Engineering & Manufacturing in Oxfordshire is seeking an experienced Engineering Design Manager to lead a team of design and development engineers. You will own the engineering function, shape product development from concept through production, and drive projects in a fast-growing, high-performance environment.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong SolidWorks skills, and experience with PDM. You will collaborate across Production, Quality and Procurement to deliver on time, within

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading engineering or design teams within manufacturing, product development or R&D.
• Strong background delivering products from concept through to production.
• SolidWorks experience is essential.
• Experience with PDM/document control systems.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier management and engineering change.
• Strong project management, problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
• Hands-on and pragmatic leadership without micromanaging.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and supporting a team of design and development engineers.
• Managing multiple NPD projects from initial concept through validation, launch and production.
• Planning engineering resources and project priorities across the team.
• Working closely with Production, Quality, Purchasing and Operations to deliver projects on time, to specification and within budget.
• Improving engineering processes, design governance and engineering change control.
• Supporting supplier development and resolving technical manufacturing challenges.
• Driving continuous improvement across engineering and product development.
• Helping develop the Engineering function as the business continues to scale.

Skills

People leadership

Project management

Problem-solving

Continuous improvement

Tools

SolidWorks

PDM / document control

Job description

An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Engineering Design Manager to join an ambitious and rapidly growing engineering manufacturer based in Oxfordshire.

The business designs, develops and manufactures specialist high-performance products for the motorsport, automotive and specialist vehicle sectors, with engineering quality, innovation and performance at the heart of what they do.

As the company continues to grow, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering leader to take ownership of the Engineering function, shape the way products are developed and play a key role in the company's next stage of growth.

There is genuine scope for progression as the business expands, making this a particularly attractive opportunity for someone who wants to have a significant influence rather than simply step into an established structure.

The Role

• Leading, developing and supporting a team of design and development engineers.
• Managing multiple NPD projects from initial concept through validation, launch and production.
• Planning engineering resources and project priorities across the team.
• Working closely with Production, Quality, Purchasing and Operations to deliver projects on time, to specification and within budget.
• Improving engineering processes, design governance and engineering change control.
• Supporting supplier development and resolving technical manufacturing challenges.
• Driving continuous improvement across engineering and product development.
• Helping develop the Engineering function as the business continues to scale.

What's Needed

• Proven experience leading engineering or design teams within manufacturing, product development or R&D.
• Strong background delivering products from concept through to production.
• SolidWorks experience is essential.
• Experience with PDM/document control systems.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier management and engineering change.
• Strong project management, problem-solving and continuous improvement skills.
• A hands‑on and pragmatic approach, with the ability to lead experienced engineers without micromanaging them.

Why Apply?

• Up to £70,000 salary.
• Join an ambitious and growing engineering business with exciting plans for the future.
• Genuine opportunity for career progression as the company grows.
• Lead engineering across innovative products used in demanding automotive and motorsport environments.
• Have genuine influence over NPD, engineering processes and future engineering strategy.
• Work in a collaborative, hands‑on environment where engineering is central to the success of the business.
• Opportunity to build and develop the Engineering function rather than simply inherit an established structure.

This role would suit an experienced Engineering Manager, Engineering Design Manager, Design Manager, Lead Design Engineer or Senior Design Engineer who is ready to take greater ownership and play a key role in the growth of an ambitious engineering business.