Design Manager

W Talent; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Benefits

Global growth

Job summary

W Talent Engineering and Manufacturing in South Yorkshire is seeking a Design Manager to lead the design function, ensuring integrity, manufacturability, and timely release of product designs across projects.

You will manage a team of engineers, drive design governance, and liaise with clients to deliver bespoke solutions. The role emphasizes accountability, quality, and cross-regional compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Structural, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering is essential.
• Experience in team management (2+ years) leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams in bespoke project environments.
• Knowledge of engineering design principles and compliance across multi-regions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Experience with design change management and engineering to order within a manufacturing context is desired.
• Motivated to drive change and foster a culture of accountability and customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design function as the engineering authority, providing structure and allocating resources across the project portfolio.
• Ensure timely, right first-time release of designs to meet project stage gates and client expectations.
• Provide technical support to installation and production teams, and manage design changes through established governance.
• Drive continual improvement by reducing design-originated non-conformance and maintaining design standards.
• Build and manage a knowledge base of design standards to ensure continuity and reduce dependency on key individuals.
• Oversee the creation of designs for manufacture that align with cost and quality standards, particularly for bespoke solutions.
• Liaise with internal teams and external clients, providing clear technical guidance and resolving complex design issues.

Skills

Team management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Degree in Structural, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Overview

W Talent Engineering and Manufacturing is collaborating with a Steel and Fabrication Assembly Manufacturing business to find a Design Manager to join their leadership team based in South Yorkshire. In this role, you will lead and develop the design function, creating valued added solutions, ensuring accountability for the integrity, manufacturability, and timely release of product designs throughout the project lifecycle. This role requires a Technically strong Engineer with a proven track record as a Design Manager, capable of managing a team of engineers and serving as the subject matter expert across all product ranges within the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design function as the engineering authority, providing structure and allocating resources across the project portfolio.
• Ensure timely, right first-time release of designs to meet project stage gates and client expectations.
• Provide technical support to installation and production teams, and manage design changes through established governance.
• Drive continual improvement by reducing design-originated non-conformance and maintaining design standards.
• Build and manage a knowledge base of design standards to ensure continuity and reduce dependency on key individuals.
• Oversee the creation of designs for manufacture that align with cost and quality standards, particularly for bespoke solutions.
• Liaise with internal teams and external clients, providing clear technical guidance and resolving complex design issues.

Qualifications and skills

• Degree in Structural, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering is essential.
• Experience in team management (2+ years) with a focus on multi-disciplinary engineering teams in bespoke project environments.
• Knowledge of engineering design principles and compliance across multi-regions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Experience with design change management and engineering to order within a manufacturing context is desired.
• Motivated to drive change and foster a culture of accountability and customer focus.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality and safety.
• Motivated to drive change and foster a culture of accountability and customer focus.

What's on Offer?

• Up to £70,000
• Excellent Benefits
• Join a business that is continuing to grow, globally