Senior Engineering Manager

Cathedral Appointments Ltd; Paignton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and manufacturing organisation is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager in South Devon. This role involves leading the engineering and development operations, overseeing projects from design to production. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in SolidWorks. A competitive salary of £60,000 - £65,000 is offered, along with opportunities for professional development and long-term career growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development support

Collaborative working environment

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading engineering teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of tooling and design for manufacture.
• Experience in composites or advanced materials is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction across all engineering activities.
• Oversee design, tooling, and production readiness.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in design and manufacturing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Communication Skills

Technical Knowledge of CAD

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Up to £65k DOE | Onsite | South Devon

Our client is a well-established engineering and manufacturing organisation specialising in high‑performance structures or advanced sectors such as aerospace, defence, and automotive. With a strong reputation for innovation and technical excellence, they combine traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering to deliver reliable, precision‑built components. Their culture is collaborative, forward‑thinking, and rooted in continuous improvement and sustainability.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a talented and driven Engineering Manager to lead the company’s engineering and development operations. This pivotal role involves overseeing the full lifecycle of engineering projects, from design and tooling through to production handover, while driving technical excellence, innovation, and operational performance. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping engineering strategy, developing teams, and ensuring delivery to the highest standards.

Responsibilities of the Senior Engineering Manager

• Provide leadership and strategic direction across all engineering and development activities.
• Oversee design, tooling, and production readiness to ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement, and best practice in design and manufacturing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and designers to achieve business goals.

Requirements of the Senior Engineering Manager

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams in a manufacturing environment (composites or advanced materials desirable).
• Strong technical knowledge of CAD (SolidWorks essential), tooling, and design for manufacture.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Company Benefits

• Competitive salary of £60,000 - £65,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to shape engineering strategy within a growing, innovative business.
• Collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Professional development and chartership support.
• Secure onsite role based in South Devon.
• Long‑term career progression in a highly respected technical field.

If you’re a forward‑thinking engineering leader with a passion for technical excellence and innovation, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to take the next step in your career with this exciting leadership opportunity.

Note on Sponsorship

We regret to inform that at this time, we are unable to offer sponsorship for work authorisation for this role. Therefore, candidates must possess valid authorisation to work in the UK without requiring visa sponsorship.

Recruitment Consultant

Dan Martin