Product Design Engineer

DAIWA SPORTS LIMITED; Wishaw; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports manufacturing company is seeking a talented Product Design Engineer to join their team in Wishaw. This role involves taking ownership of the product lifecycle from concept through production, showcasing innovative rod technology and working closely with cross-functional teams.

Benefits

6.5 weeks paid holiday per year

Competitive salary

Qualifications

• Minimum HND in Product Design or related engineering discipline.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CAD applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the design and development of fishing rods.
• Manage the design, procurement, and lifecycle of parts.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Time Management

Education

HND in Product Design

Tools

CAD

Microsoft Office

Fusion 360

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Daiwa, the world’s leading fishing tackle manufacturer, is seeking a talented and driven Product Design Engineer to join its Engineering team at the UK head office in Wishaw. This is more than a conventional design role—it is a rare opportunity to take ownership across the assembly stages of the product lifecycle in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. From initial concept and CAD modelling to prototype development, process optimisation, and providing engineering support on both prototypes and mass production items, you will play a critical part in bringing innovative rod technology to anglers around the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• Work cross-functionally with Production, Quality Assurance, and Sales teams to integrate design intent with manufacturing capabilities and customer expectations.
• Lead and execute the design and development of fishing rods in collaboration with the Design Engineering team, ensuring alignment with performance, cost, and aesthetic targets.
• Manage the design, procurement, and lifecycle of parts and components, ensuring timely sourcing, quality compliance, and accurate documentation to support both prototype development and mass production planning.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage the fabrication and testing of prototypes, supporting iterative design refinement, improvement, and validation.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical documentation including keypoints/drawings for all assembly departments, work instructions, process flows, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and quality control checklists—to ensure repeatability, traceability, and compliance in mass production.
• Deliver structured design reviews, actively driving departmental KPIs with a focus on product quality, cost optimisation, and manufacturability across development and production phases.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by preparing and reviewing process documentation, conducting root cause analysis to identify inefficiencies and improvements, and implementing enhancements across the design, manufacturing, and process functions.
• Lead Process Engineer within the assembly areas, spearheading all Engineering supportyou will be responsible for overseeing and resolving mass production challenges—driving continuous improvement, maintaining production flow, and ensuring high standards of quality and efficiency.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to align project milestones, resolve design queries, and maintain product integrity.
• Contribute to product innovation through materials research, functional prototyping, testing, and performance analysis.

The ideal candidate will hold a minimum of an HND in Product Design or a related engineering discipline. You will demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills and thrive in a team-oriented environment. The role demands effective time management, a structured and organised approach to work, and the ability to adapt and prioritise tasks in a fast-paced setting.

Minimum Requirements;

• Minimum HND in Product design or related engineering discipline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications with strong general PC literacy.
• Experience of CAD, preferably Fusion 360 and Adobe Illustrator experience is advantageous.

·Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

·A proactive mindset with a strong willingness to learn and develop new skills.

This is an office based permanent position, working 38 hours over 4 days (Mon – Thurs) 7.30am – 5.30pm with 6.5 weeks paid holiday per year with a competitive salary.

Does this sound like the perfect opportunity for you? If so, then please get in touch by submitting your CV and covering letter to [e-mail] CC. [e-mail]