Mechanical Design Manager

Ref: MDM/DAN26 | Full-Time | Permanent

📍 Location: Between Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
💰 Salary: £55,000 – £60,000 DOE
🎯 Bonus: Up to £5,000 per annum
🏢 Fully onsite – no remote working

The MUST-HAVES

• 10+ years' experience as a Mechanical Designer
• Strong 3D CAD experience
• Relevant experience within automation, special-purpose machinery, robotics or similar
• Proven team leadership/management experience – must have led a team
• Experience managing complex engineering projects
• Experience taking projects from concept through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, BOMs and design standards
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
• Legally eligible to work in the UK – no visa sponsorship available

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to lead an established mechanical design team within a specialist automation and engineering business.

This is a hands-on management position, combining mechanical design with team leadership, project delivery and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will be responsible for:

• Leading, managing and developing the Mechanical Design team.
• Planning workloads, resources and project priorities.
• Designing bespoke and special-purpose machinery.
• Managing projects from concept through design, manufacture, assembly and commissioning.
• Ensuring designs meet required quality, safety and engineering standards.
• Reviewing drawings, BOMs and design documentation.
• Working closely with Manufacturing, Electrical Design, Controls, Procurement, Project Management, customers and suppliers.
• Driving continuous improvement across the design function.
• Setting team objectives and KPIs and supporting employee development.

About the Business

The business specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of bespoke automation and control systems, including:

• Special-purpose machinery
• Packaging and manufacturing machinery
• Conveyors
• Robotics
• Vision inspection systems

The company operates from a 22,000 sq. ft. facility in North Gloucestershire and has approximately 50 employees across its UK and US operations.

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000 – £60,000 salary DOE
• Up to £5,000 annual bonus
  • Up to £2,000 based on company performance
  • Up to £3,000 based on three agreed personal KPIs
• Contributory pension
• 21 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Additional holiday for long service
• Private health insurance for you, your partner and children following probation
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Additional spot bonuses/awards
• Friendly and collaborative working environment

Hours

Monday – Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 2:00pm

Please note: This is a fully onsite position. The site is rural and not served by public transport, so your own transport is essential.

Apply

If you have 10+ years' mechanical design experience, strong 3D CAD skills and proven experience leading a team, we'd like to hear from you.

MAN24