Job type
PermanentLocation
Stoke on TrentWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Mechanical EngineeringIndustry
EngineeringPay
£65,000 - £75,000
Design Manager
Design Manager – Mechanical Engineering
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + Relocation Support (for the right candidate)
Location: Stoke‑on‑Trent area
Industry: Advanced Engineering & Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Type: Permanent, Full‑Time
Location: Stoke‑on‑Trent area
Industry: Advanced Engineering & Heavy Industrial Manufacturing Type: Permanent, Full‑Time
About the Company
A long‑established UK engineering group with years of heritage, this organisation is known for designing and manufacturing large, complex, high‑integrity mechanical products used across global industrial, defence, and energy markets. They operate their own machining facilities, producing precision‑engineered castings, CNC‑machined components, and heavy‑duty assemblies. The business is extremely busy, growing, and investing heavily in engineering capability. This is a company where engineering still happens on the shop floor, not just behind a desk, and where design teams work closely with manufacturing, machining, testing, and customers to deliver robust, real‑world solutions.
The Role
This is a senior, hands‑on Design Manager position, ideal for someone who still enjoys modelling, drafting, problem‑solving, and simulation work, while also leading a small but highly capable design team. You will take ownership of the full design lifecycle, from concept development through to manufacturing support, ensuring designs are safe, manufacturable, and optimised for heavy‑duty industrial use.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Mechanical Design activities across complex engineered products and large‑scale assemblies
- Produce 3D models and detailed drawings using SolidWorks
- Build and run FEA and CFD simulations to validate performance, stresses, and flow characteristics
- Provide technical leadership to a small design team, mentoring less experienced engineers
- Work closely with CNC machining, foundry, and production teams to ensure manufacturability
- Support lifting, handling, and installation considerations for large, heavy components
- Drive continuous improvement and bring new ideas, methods, and design approaches
- Manage engineering documentation, standards, and compliance requirements
Required Experience
- Minimum 10 years in mechanical design within heavy engineering, CNC machining, castings, or similar
- Strong background in SolidWorks, 3D modelling, and detailed drafting
- Proven ability to run FEA and CFD simulations
- Experience designing large components, lifting points, handling systems, or heavy assemblies
- Demonstrable experience in a Design Manager, Lead Engineer, or Senior Engineer role
- Comfortable being hands‑on, practical, and closely involved with manufacturing teams
- Strong communicator with the confidence to challenge, improve, and innovate
What’s In It for You
- £65k–£75k salary, depending on experience
- Relocation support available for the right candidate
- Join a financially strong, extremely busy engineering group with long‑term stability
- Work on large, technically challenging, high‑integrity products
- A role where your ideas genuinely shape the engineering direction
- Opportunity to modernise processes, introduce new tools, and influence design strategy
- A company that values engineering excellence and invests in its people
Ideal Candidate Snapshot
- Experienced Design Manager
- Deep experience with CNC machining, castings, or heavy industrial products
- Strong analytical mindset with proven simulation capability
- Practical, grounded, and comfortable working around large engineered components
- Wants a role with variety, ownership, and real engineering challenge
