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Head of Design

Job Posted: a month ago

Salary: £ 65,000 - 75,000 / Annum
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Expire in: a day

Job Description

Head of Design – Mechanical Engineering

Location: Cambridge
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus + benefits

Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Head of Design to lead our Design Department in developing high-quality, innovative, and commercially competitive products for the food industry. The role combines hands-on design with leadership responsibilities, mentoring engineers, and driving continuous improvement across design processes.

Key Responsibilities:

  * Lead the creation of 3D parts and assemblies in SolidWorks, producing comprehensive manufacturing drawing packs, including BOMs, laser profiles, and work orders.

  * Develop and implement design standards, processes, and best practices to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and company standards.

  * Review and approve drawings, conduct design reviews, and ensure data quality across the team.

  * Plan and coordinate the daily activities of the design team, providing guidance and resolving technical queries.

  * Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

  * Work closely with Project Engineers to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards.

  * Capture design changes from manufacturing, installation, or commissioning and incorporate them into future designs.

  * Liaise with customers and suppliers for design reviews, approvals, and sourcing of materials and components.

  * Conduct site visits for surveys and customer liaison.

  * Identify cost-saving opportunities and improvements in manufacturing processes and product designs.

  * Support cross-functional teams with technical expertise and contribute to departmental KPIs and performance monitoring.

Requirements:

  * Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

  * Proven senior design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including transferring bespoke designs into production.

  * Experience leading or mentoring a design team and delivering projects to schedule, budget, and quality requirements.

  * Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D and AutoCAD 2D; experience with sheet metal and fabrication design desirable.

  * Knowledge of the food processing equipment industry advantageous.

Skills & Attributes:

  * Strong problem-solving, organisational, and time-management skills.

  * Ability to generate innovative, technically differentiated solutions.

  * Understanding of system integration and business impact of design decisions.

  * Excellent communication skills for cross-functional and external collaboration.

  * Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including occasional weekends.

Benefits:

  * Competitive salary £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus

  * 25 days holiday + bank holidays

  * Pension scheme

  * Professional development and career progression opportunities

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