Mechanical Design Manager

Xpertis Talent; Greet; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Xpertis Talent is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Team Lead to head a multi-disciplinary design group responsible for hands-on design of special-purpose machinery across industries.

You will drive project delivery from concept through to manufacture, manage workloads, and champion design standards, 3D CAD practices, and safety. Strong communication across engineering, manufacturing, procurement and customers is essential, with experience in performance reviews and developing talent.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or managing a Mechanical Design team and conducting performance reviews.
• Strong mechanical design experience, ideally in automation or robotics.
• Proven ability to deliver projects from concept through manufacture and commissioning.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD and engineering design practices (drawings, BOMs, reviews).
• Excellent communication across levels and functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Mechanical Design team, including performance reviews and objective setting.
• Drive mechanical design from concept through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• Plan and coordinate workload and resources to meet project priorities.
• Champion continuous improvement of design processes and standards.
• Foster collaboration across Mechanical Design, Project Management, Manufacturing and Procurement.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Health & safety

Project coordination

Tools

3D CAD

Job description

• Mechanical Design: Hands on designing special purpose machinery and working across a variety of industry sectors.
• Resource & Workload Management: Plan and coordinate the team's workload and resources, balancing project requirements and priorities to ensure the department operates effectively.
• Project Delivery: Ensure Mechanical Design activities are delivered to the required quality and within agreed project timescales, working with the team and wider business to identify and resolve potential challenges.
• Continuous Improvement: Own and lead continuous improvement within the department, identifying opportunities to improve design processes, standardisation, efficiency and ways of working.
• Collaboration & Communication: Build strong working relationships across, ensuring effective communication and collaboration between Mechanical Design, Project Management, Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls, Procurement and other areas of the business.
• Performance, Goals & KPIs: Set clear and achievable individual and departmental goals and KPIs, regularly reviewing progress and supporting team members in achieving their objectives.
• Employee Reviews & Development: Conduct annual and mid-year performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, recognising achievements and agreeing individual objectives and development opportunities.
• Training & Team Development: Support the ongoing professional and technical development of the team, identifying training needs, skills gaps and opportunities for individuals to develop within their roles.

Key requirements:

• Proven experience leading or managing a Mechanical Design team, including supporting team development, performance reviews and setting objectives.
• Strong mechanical design experience, ideally within automation, special-purpose machinery, robotics or a similar engineering environment.
• Experience delivering engineering projects from concept through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning, with a good understanding of the full project lifecycle.
• Strong working knowledge of 3D CAD and engineering design practices, including drawings, BOMs, design reviews and engineering standards.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to communicate with all levels within an organisation, externally with customers and suppliers.
• Experience working collaboratively across engineering and manufacturing functions, with the ability to manage priorities, solve problems and hold others and yourself to account.
• A consistent commitment to health and safety, without shortcuts