Engineering Manager

Polkadotfrog; Essex; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Polkadotfrog is hiring an Engineering Manager in Colchester, Essex. This permanent, on-site role leads the Design & Engineering teams, directing R&D and new product development while shaping technical strategy across the business.

You will mentor a small team of engineers and designers, own projects from concept to production, and balance technical and commercial goals to deliver robust solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in engineering design within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in engineering leadership or management with mentoring.
• Understanding of CAD design processes and technical drawing.
• Experience taking products from concept to manufacture.
• Solution-focused with balance of cost, quality, manufacturability and commercial considerations.
• Strong problem-solving and ownership of complex challenges.
• Collaborative working ethic across business units.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the business, acting as a trusted source of engineering expertise and guidance.
• Lead, mentor and develop a small team of Engineers and Designers, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Take ownership of R&D projects, from early-stage concepts and feasibility work through to formal approval and, where required, into production.
• Develop practical, robust and commercially viable solutions to complex engineering and technical challenges.
• Work closely with Product, Design and Technical teams to resolve unusual or challenging engineering issues.
• Develop a strong understanding of the technical standards, regulations and requirements applicable to the company’s products.
• Communicate complex technical requirements clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Support the wider business in responding to complex customer technical queries, providing clear and commercially appropriate solutions.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Finance, Manufacturing and other functions to develop robust business cases for new products and engineering initiatives.
• Work alongside Purchasing to identify and lead cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives, delivering measurable savings for the business.

Skills

Engineering leadership

People management

CAD design

Product development

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Engineering Manager

Colchester, Essex

Permanent | On-site

£65,000 - £75,000 depending on experience

Polkadotfrog are delighted to be working with a leading Essex based specialist business as they look to appoint an Engineering Manager to join their team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineering professional who enjoys combining technical expertise, product development, innovation and people leadership.

As Engineering Manager, you'll become a key technical leader within the business, overseeing R&D and new product development while leading and developing the Design & Engineering teams.

As Engineering Manager, you will:

• Provide technical leadership across the business, acting as a trusted source of engineering expertise and guidance.
• Lead, mentor and develop a small team of Engineers and Designers, supporting their technical and professional development.
• Take ownership of R&D projects, from early-stage concepts and feasibility work through to formal approval and, where required, into production.
• Develop practical, robust and commercially viable solutions to complex engineering and technical challenges.
• Work closely with Product, Design and Technical teams to resolve unusual or challenging engineering issues.
• Develop a strong understanding of the technical standards, regulations and requirements applicable to the company’s products.
• Communicate complex technical requirements clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Support the wider business in responding to complex customer technical queries, providing clear and commercially appropriate solutions.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Finance, Manufacturing and other functions to develop robust business cases for new products and engineering initiatives.
• Work alongside Purchasing to identify and lead cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives, delivering measurable savings for the business.

About You:

• Strong experience in engineering design within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience in an engineering leadership, supervisory or management position, with the ability to mentor and develop others.
• A strong understanding of CAD design processes and technical drawing.
• Experience taking products or engineering projects from concept through to manufacture.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance technical requirements with cost, quality, manufacturability and commercial considerations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the confidence to take ownership of complex engineering challenges.
• A collaborative working ethic. While you'll be a strong advocate for engineering, you'll understand the importance of working closely with the wider business to deliver solutions that are technically sound, commercially viable and profitable.

You’ll be joining a specialist organisation where engineering plays a key role in its continued growth and success, with the opportunity to make a tangible impact across product development, innovation, manufacturing and commercial performance.

If you're an experienced engineer looking for a role where your technical expertise will be valued, your ideas encouraged and your leadership can make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, such as access or information in an alternative format, please let us know as soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.