Mechanical Design Manager

Recruit Engineering; Haverhill; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Health cashback

EAP

Cycle to Work

Income protection

Private medical insurance

Annual leave

Bank holidays

Job summary

Recruit Engineering in the UK is seeking a Manager, Mechanical Design & Engineering in Haverhill. You will lead a multi-disciplinary design team, balance project supervision with resource planning and drive high-quality delivery.

You will coach engineers, oversee local and global projects, contribute to continuous improvement, and mentor staff while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment.

Qualifications

• BSc in Mechanical Engineering or similar technical discipline.
• Experience managing technical teams with an emotionally intelligent, collaborative approach.
• Exposure to complex engineering or technology-driven industries.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure decision-making environments.

Responsibilities

• Project supervision of locally delivered engineering projects.
• Risk advisory and escalation of technical issues.
• Estimating and bidding support for new work.
• Quality checks and continuous improvement activities.
• Monitoring project progress and ensuring delivery.
• Team management, coaching, and career development.
• Timesheet, expense and system approvals.
• Resource scheduling and workforce planning.
• Representing the team in local leadership forums.
• Promoting a positive, adaptable, growth-minded culture.

Skills

Team management

Emotional intelligence

Fast-paced environments

Education

BSc in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Manager, Mechanical Design & Engineering

Category: Engineering

Location: Haverhill, Suffolk

Ref: 2999

Position Purpose

The Mechanical Design & Engineering Manager is responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership, performance and development of a multi‑disciplinary engineering design team. The role balances project supervision and team management, ensuring high‑quality delivery, effective resource allocation, and a collaborative, growth‑focused culture.

This manager supports the wider UK and global engineering functions, guiding design solutions, coaching team members, and driving continuous improvement across projects and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Supervising / Advising — 50%
• Project oversight for locally delivered engineering projects.
• Risk advising and escalation of technical issues.
• Estimating & bidding support for new work.
• Quality checks and continuous improvement activities.
• Monitoring project progress and ensuring successful delivery.
• Team Management / Coaching — 50%
• 1:1 leadership, mentoring and career development.
• Training facilitation and skills growth.
• Timesheet, expense and system approvals.
• Supporting resource scheduling and workforce planning.
• Representing the team in local leadership forums.
• Promoting a positive, adaptable, growth‑mindset culture.

Core Competencies

Aptitude

• Efficiency — Delivers strong output with minimal wasted effort.
• Organisation & planning — Prioritises effectively and manages workload.
• Calm under pressure — Performs steadily in high‑pressure environments.
• Versatility — Able to contribute across multiple engineering functions.
• Proactivity — Brings new ideas and acts independently.
• Flexibility — Adapts quickly to changing priorities.
• Continuous improvement — Seeks better ways of working.

Collaboration

• Integrity — Honest, ethical, and trustworthy.
• Follow‑through — Delivers on commitments.
• Listening skills — Understands others\' viewpoints.
• Communication — Clear, concise written and verbal communication.
• Teamwork — Builds strong relationships across teams.
• Persuasion — Influences decisions constructively.
• Openness to feedback — Responds calmly and constructively.
• Shared learning — Encourages knowledge transfer.
• Conflict resolution — Handles disagreements productively.

Commitment

• Enthusiasm — Positive, energetic, and engaged.
• Advocacy — Represents the organisation and customers effectively.
• Work ethic — Strong commitment to delivery.
• High standards — Expects excellence from self and team.
• Persistence — Tenacious in achieving outcomes.
• Role modelling — Demonstrates organisational values.

Minimum Qualifications

• BSc in Mechanical Engineering or similar technical discipline.
• Experience managing technical teams with an emotionally intelligent, collaborative approach.
• Exposure to complex engineering or technology‑driven industries.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑pressure decision‑making environments.

Benefits

• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Life assurance.
• Health cashback plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Income protection / critical illness cover.
• Optional private medical insurance (role‑dependent).
• Paid annual leave increasing with service.
• UK bank holidays