R&D Engineer (Project Design Technician)

Hewett Recruitment; Ledbury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established engineering firm in Ledbury seeks a Senior Project Design Technician. This role involves managing design projects, adapting standard products for clients, and ensuring high-quality delivery. Candidates should have 4+ years in a technical role, proficiency in 2D CAD, and strong communication skills. Competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth are offered within a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits package

Collaborative working environment

Qualifications

• Technically strong and organized individual with experience in project-based engineering.
• Ability to interpret drawings and adapt designs to client requirements.
• Confident verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical point of contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Participate in pre-order meetings and support design approvals.
• Carry out on-site structural surveys as needed.
• Produce detailed project designs and bespoke production drawings.
• Liaise with third-party suppliers for bespoke components.

Skills

Mechanical engineering principles

2D CAD

3D CAD

Problem-solving

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Education

4+ years of experience in a technical or engineering role

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

R&D Engineer (Project Design Technician)

Location: Ledbury, Herefordshire
Department: Technical / Engineering
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role

An established and growing engineering‑led business is seeking an experienced Senior Project Design Technician to join its Industrial team. This is a key technical role, responsible for delivering bespoke design solutions and managing projects from initial concept through to installation and completion.

Working closely with customers, internal teams, and third‑party suppliers, you will adapt standard products to meet specific client requirements, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, accurately, and to a high standard. This is a varied and hands‑on role offering exposure to complex, customer‑driven projects in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a technical point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle

• Participate in pre‑order meetings, gather structural and technical information, and support design approvals

• Carry out on‑site structural surveys to ensure designs are fit for purpose (occasional worldwide travel may be required)

• Interpret customer and structural drawings to inform project designs

• Produce detailed project designs, adapting existing methodologies and standard products

• Generate bespoke production drawings for internal manufacture and external suppliers

• Liaise with third‑party suppliers to support the manufacture of bespoke components

• Load and manage project demands within internal management systems

• Create efficient packing sequences to support smooth installation

• Produce comprehensive job packs for installation teams, including RAMS, installation instructions, and certification

• Support post‑installation debriefs and contribute to job costing and project evaluation

About You

You will be a technically strong and organised individual with experience working in a project‑based engineering environment. You enjoy solving problems, working closely with customers, and taking ownership of projects from start to finish.

You will have:

• A solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles

• Strong experience using 2D CAD (essential) and 3D CAD (desirable), ideally AutoCAD and Inventor

• A minimum of 4 years' experience in a technical or engineering role

• The ability to interpret drawings and adapt designs to meet customer needs

• Confident verbal and written communication skills, with client‑facing experience advantageous

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities

• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a strong sense of accountability

• A full UK driving licence

What's on Offer

• A senior technical role with real project ownership

• Exposure to bespoke, customer‑driven engineering projects

• Opportunities for professional development and progression

• A collaborative and forward‑thinking working environment

• Competitive salary and benefits package (dependent on experience)

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for a Project Design Technician looking to step into a senior role where your ideas, technical input, and project leadership will genuinely make an impact. You'll be part of a business that values innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.