Mechanical Design Manager

Workforce Staffing Ltd; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Holiday entitlement

Health insurance

Cycle to Work

Spot bonuses

Friendly environment

Job summary

Workforce Staffing Ltd is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to lead a seasoned design team within a specialist automation and engineering business between Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. This is a hands‑on management role blending design leadership with project delivery.

You will plan workloads, drive continuous improvement, and ensure drawings, BOMs and design documentation meet quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience as a Mechanical Designer
• Strong 3D CAD experience
• Relevant experience in automation, SP machinery, robotics or similar
• Proven team leadership/management experience – must have led a team
• Experience managing complex engineering projects
• Experience taking projects from concept through manufacture, assembly and commissioning
• Strong understanding of drawings, BOMs and design standards
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Legally eligible to work in the UK – no visa sponsorship available

Responsibilities

• Leading, managing and developing the Mechanical Design team
• Planning workloads, resources and project priorities
• Designing bespoke and special‑purpose machinery
• Managing projects from concept through design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning
• Ensuring designs meet required quality, safety and engineering standards
• Reviewing drawings, BOMs and design documentation
• Working closely with Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls, Procurement, Project Management, customers and suppliers
• Driving continuous improvement across the design function
• Setting team objectives and KPIs and supporting employee development

Skills

10+ years experience as a mechanical (

Team leadership/management

Project management

3D CAD

Engineering drawings & BOMs

Communication & problem solving

UK work eligibility

Job description

Mechanical Design Manager

Ref: MDM/DAN26 | Full-Time | Permanent

Location: Between Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 DOE

Bonus: Up to £5,000 per annum

Fully onsite – no remote working

The MUST-HAVES

• 10+ years' experience as a Mechanical Designer


• Strong 3D CAD experience


• Relevant experience within automation, special-purpose machinery, robotics or similar


• Proven team leadership/management experience – must have led a team


• Experience managing complex engineering projects


• Experience taking projects from concept through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning


• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, BOMs and design standards


• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills


• Legally eligible to work in the UK – no visa sponsorship available

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to lead an established mechanical design team within a specialist automation and engineering business.

This is a hands‑on management position, combining mechanical design with team leadership, project delivery and continuous improvement.

• Leading, managing and developing the Mechanical Design team.


• Planning workloads, resources and project priorities.


• Designing bespoke and special‑purpose machinery.


• Managing projects from concept through design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning.


• Ensuring designs meet required quality, safety and engineering standards.


• Reviewing drawings, BOMs and design documentation.


• Working closely with Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls, Procurement, Project Management, customers and suppliers.


• Driving continuous improvement across the design function.


• Setting team objectives and KPIs and supporting employee development.

About the Business

The business specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke automation and control systems, including:

• Special‑purpose machinery


• Packaging and manufacturing machinery


• Conveyors


• Robotics


• Vision inspection systems

The company operates from a 22,000 sq. ft. facility in North Gloucestershire and has approximately 50 employees across its UK and US operations.

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000 – £60,000 salary DOE


• Up to £5,000 annual bonus


• Up to £2,000 based on company performance


• Up to £3,000 based on three agreed personal KPIs


• Contributory pension


• 21 days' holiday + bank holidays


• Additional holiday for long service


• Private health insurance for you, your partner and children following probation


• Cycle to Work scheme


• Additional spot bonuses/awardsi>
  
• Friendly and collaborative working environment

Hours

• Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm


• Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm