Mechanical Design Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Contributory pension

21 days' holiday + bank holidays

Private health insurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Spot bonuses/awards

Job summary

Workforce Staffing is recruiting an experienced Mechanical Design Manager in Gloucestershire to lead and develop an established design team within an automation-focused business. The role blends hands-on design with leadership, project delivery and continuous improvement.

You will report to the Engineering Director and oversee projects from concept through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning, ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards.

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience as a Mechanical Designer.
• Strong 3D CAD experience.
• Proven leadership experience – 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, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Legally eligible to work in the UK – no visa sponsorship available.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Mechanical Design team.
• Plan workloads, resources and project priorities.
• Design bespoke and special-purpose machinery.
• Manage projects from concept through design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• Ensure designs meet quality, safety and engineering standards.
• Review drawings, BOMs and design documentation.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Electrical, Controls, Procurement, PM, customers and suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement across the design function.
• Set team objectives and KPIs; support employee development.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D CAD

Team leadership

Complex projects

Concept to manufacture

Job description

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.

Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will be responsible for:

• 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:

• Packaging and manufacturing machinery
• 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

• 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/awards
• Friendly and collaborative working environment

Hours

Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm

Please note: This is a fully onsite position. The site is rural and not served by public transport, so your own transport is essential.