Chief Design Manager

K&K Selekt Human Resources Consulting; Rzeszów; On-site; PLN 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

International environment

Opportunity to develop into the Head/3

Job summary

Partner, an international manufacturing company in the machinery sector, invites discussions for the role of Chief Design Manager. You will lead a design organisation, coordinating engineers from multiple units and guiding R&D activities.

The successful candidate will develop and implement a long-term technology strategy, standardize designs, monitor trends, and drive cross‑functional collaboration with suppliers and customers, aiming for continuous improvement and competitive edge.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification.
• 8–10 years in engineering roles with progression to leadership.
• 3–5 years in senior engineering leadership positions.
• Professional working English (written and spoken).
• B category driving license.
• Strong background in mechanical engineering, machinery, metals.
• Experience in automation and intralogistics.
• International project experience with foreign clients.
• Ability to balance technical authority with business goals.
• Proactive and results-driven with continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a team of design engineers across units.
• Analyze needs and identify technical solutions and improvements.
• Attend international trade fairs and gain industry know-how.
• Develop and implement long-term technology strategy.
• Standardize designs and prioritize tech aligned with business objectives.
• Supervise Development Center in innovation.
• Lead innovation initiatives with customers and suppliers.
• Plan and coordinate technical projects; manage budget and resources.
• Collaborate with contractors, suppliers, and partners.
• Prepare technical reports for Management Board.
• Provide technical advisory support in decision-making.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Change management

Technical mentoring

Education

Engineering degree (technical field)

Job description

Location: Rzeszow Area

PROJECT: Chief Design Manager

Together with our Partner, an international manufacturing company from the machinery industry, we invite you to discuss the role of Project Development Manager - R&D.

Aim Of The Role

• Coordinating a team of design engineers from all business units. About 50% of working time.
• Analyzing the current needs of all business units and identifying appropriate technical solutions and continuous improvement opportunities. About 25% of working time.
• Attending international trade fairs and regularly engaging in activities to acquire industry know-how for the company. About 25% of working time.

Scope Of Responsibilities

• Management of the Company's Technology Strategy
• Developing and implementing a long-term technology strategy.
• Standardization of designs.
• Analyzing market trends and recommending new technologies.
• Setting technology priorities aligned with business objectives.
• Supervising the company's Development Center in the area of innovation.
• Leading innovation initiatives (Gemba Walks) with the company's customers and suppliers.
• Monitoring market trends.
• Project Execution and Oversight
• Conducting standardization and implementing improvements in existing process and product solutions.
• Driving the digitalization of technological solutions.
• Planning, organizing, and coordinating technical projects.
• Cooperating with contractors, suppliers, and technology partners.
• Selecting and supervising technology partners.
• Cost Optimization and Budget Management
• Managing the technology and development budget.
• Analyzing the efficiency of technical resource utilization.
• Executive Support and Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Preparing technical reports and analyses for the Management Board.
• Providing technical advisory support in decision-making processes.

Requirements

• Higher education degree in a technical field.
• Minimum 8 - 10 years in engineering roles; demonstrated progression to technical leadership / design authority level.
• Minimum 3 - 5 years in a senior engineering leadership role (design authority, chief engineer, engineering manager, or comparable).
• English skills (written and spoken): professional working proficiency for documentation, reports, business communication.
• Driving license cat. B is required.
• Strong technical background in mechanical engineering, machinery, metals, production line structures.
• Experience in automation, intralogistics, material handling systems.
• Deep understanding of the full engineering value chain: concept, detailed engineering, interfaces to production and installation.
• International project experience and cooperation with foreign clients and partners.
• Pragmatic, and results-oriented; balances technical authority with operational execution.
• Collaborative, able to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Comfortable with change management and continuous improvement.
• Energetic, forward-thinking, and committed to keeping the company at the cutting edge of technical trends.
• Experience in implementing technical standards and working across various organizational levels.
• Experience in R&D.
• Ability to combine a technical perspective with business objectives and make decisions at the executive level.
• Experience in building team competencies, leading organizational change, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Proactive, results-oriented attitude with a focus on innovative solutions supporting company growth.

Our Partner Offers

• Professional and personal development opportunities.
• Positive working environment based on teamwork and unquestionable integrity and professionalism.
• Work in an international environment.
• Opportunity to develop into the Head of Technical Department in the future.
• Company events.

We kindly inform that we will contact only the selected candidates.