Design & Projects Lead - Bespoke Vehicle Coachbuilding

White Horse Employment; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

White Horse Employment is seeking a hands-on design and project-management professional for bespoke coachbuilding projects. You will own projects from customer brief through CAD design (SolidWorks) to manufacture and handover, handling multiple projects concurrently.

You will lead design work, liaise with clients and suppliers, control budgets and timelines, and ensure quality compliance (ISO 9001). A strong CAD background and independent working style are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in specialist coachbuilding, bespoke vehicle design or a similar specialist engineering environment.
• Strong CAD experience with ability to produce and interpret technical drawings.
• Experience managing projects from design through to completion.
• Good understanding of materials, fabrication and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work independently and take full ownership of projects.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Design work & quoting: Liaise with customers and suppliers, define specs, produce drawings (SolidWorks), design bespoke coachbuilding projects, ensure regulatory compliance, own projects from brief to handover.
• Project management: Manage projects to meet timelines, budgets and specifications; liaise with customers; update on progress; adjust design changes and costs as required; coordinate with workshop and MD/Operations Director.
• Material requisition: Specify materials for ordering by Purchasing Manager & Storeman.
• Quality control: Carry out final project inspections; coordinate completion with Paint, Water, Road, Electrical testing; obtain required certifications; ensure standards.
• ISO 9001 & compliance: Complete Spectra ISO 9001 docs and follow procedures; post project quality assessments.
• Workshop & team support: Work with workshop/engineering team; provide guidance on specs and design changes; assist with labour planning.
• Client warranty: Respond to warranty queries and ensure warranty work meets standards; document all warranty activities.
• Skills & experience: Maintain ownership of projects, strong CAD capability, and clear communication with clients and internal teams.

Skills

CAD

SolidWorks

Project management

Technical drawings

Independent work

Communication

Attention to detail

Manufacturing processes

Job description

White Horse Employment is seeking a hands-on design and project-management professional for bespoke coachbuilding projects. You will own projects from customer brief through CAD design (SolidWorks) to manufacture and handover, handling multiple projects concurrently.

You will lead design work, liaise with clients and suppliers, control budgets and timelines, and ensure quality compliance (ISO 9001). A strong CAD background and independent working style are essential.