Mechanical Design Manager

Pertemps Specialist Talent Solutions; Winchcombe; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Pension

Annual leave

Cycle to work

Early finish Friday

Job summary

Pertemps Specialist Talent Solutions is representing an established engineering business in Cheltenham, seeking a Mechanical Design Manager to lead its mechanical design team on bespoke automation projects.

The role is hands‑on leadership with responsibility for performance, standards, workload and project delivery, ensuring practical, commercially viable designs delivered on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a mechanical design team.
• Strong background in automation or special‑purpose machinery.
• Hands-on CAD and engineering drawing proficiency.
• Experience delivering projects from concept to manufacture.
• Ability to plan resources and manage multiple projects.
• Experience conducting performance reviews and developing engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the mechanical design team with day-to-day direction.
• Remain hands-on with the design of special‑purpose machinery and automation systems.
• Plan departmental resources and balance workloads across multiple live projects.
• Oversee design projects from concept through manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• Ensure designs are safe, accurate, commercially viable and manufacturable.
• Maintain high standards for 3D models, drawings and BOMs.
• Identify risks early and inform the Engineering Director of progress and issues.
• Drive continuous improvement in design processes, standardisation and efficiency.
• Collaborate with Project Management, Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls and Procurement.
• Set department and individual goals and conduct performance reviews.
• Identify skills gaps and arrange training.
• Support team with performance, attendance and conduct matters.
• Build relationships with customers and suppliers.

Skills

Team leadership

3D CAD

Engineering drawings

Project delivery

Resource planning

Engineer development

Tools

3D CAD software

Job description

Mechanical Design Manager – Automation & Special-Purpose Machinery

Location: Greet, Cheltenham

Salary: £55,000–£60,000 DOE

Bonus: Up to £5,000 annually

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00am–5:00pm; Friday, 8:00am–2:00pm

Contract: Permanent, full-time | Fully site-based

Lead the mechanical design function behind bespoke automation projects

An established and internationally successful engineering business is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to lead its mechanical design team while remaining actively involved in the design of bespoke machinery.

This is a hands‑on leadership position offering responsibility for the performance and continued development of the department. You will oversee technical standards, team workload, design quality and project delivery, ensuring engineering solutions are practical, commercially effective and delivered on time and within budget.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and supporting the mechanical design team, providing clear technical and day-to-day direction.
• Remaining hands‑on with the design and development of special-purpose machinery and automation systems.
• Planning departmental resources and balancing workloads across multiple live projects.
• Overseeing mechanical design projects from initial concept through manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• Ensuring designs are safe, accurate, commercially viable and suitable for manufacture.
• Maintaining high standards across 3D models, engineering drawings, BOMs and design reviews.
• Identifying project risks early and keeping the Engineering Director informed of progress and potential challenges.
• Driving continuous improvement across design processes, standardisation and departmental efficiency.
• Working closely with Project Management, Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls and Procurement.
• Setting clear departmental and individual goals, objectives and KPIs.
• Conducting annual and mid-year performance reviews and supporting individual development plans.
• Identifying skills gaps and arranging appropriate technical or professional training.
• Supporting team members with performance, attendance and conduct matters when required.
• Building productive relationships with customers and suppliers.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading or managing a mechanical design team.
• A strong background in mechanical design, ideally involving automation, robotics, special‑purpose machinery or industrial equipment.
• Hands‑on 3D CAD capability and a strong understanding of engineering drawings, BOMs, design reviews and engineering standards.
• Experience delivering machinery or engineering projects from concept through manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• The ability to plan resources, manage competing priorities and maintain delivery standards across several projects.
• Experience conducting performance reviews, setting objectives and supporting the development of engineers.

What’s on offer

• £55,000–£60,000 salary, depending on experience.
• Annual bonus of up to £5,000: Up to £2,000 based on company performance. Up to £3,000 based on three individual KPIs. Additional spot bonuses and awards for exceptional contributions.
• Private health insurance for you, your partner and your children after probation.
• Contributory pension scheme after probation.
• 21 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Additional holiday entitlement for long service.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme after probation.
• Early finish at 2:00pm every Friday.
• The opportunity to shape and improve an established engineering department.
• Varied and technically interesting automation projects across multiple industries.