Senior Product Design Engineer

Lead Product Designer

Find out more about this role by reading the information below, then apply to be considered.

A growing consumer products company is seeking a Lead Product Designer to take ownership of a portfolio of products within its New Product Development function. This is a senior, hands-on role responsible for leading projects from early concept through to production launch, coordinating internal specialists and external manufacturing partners.

You will act as the technical and commercial lead for your product category, balancing design quality, cost, and delivery timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Own end-to-end delivery of multiple product development projects within a defined category

Lead CAD development of complex assemblies from concept through to production release

Build and test physical prototypes to validate mechanisms and concepts early

Coordinate input from product designers, industrial designers, and pattern makers as required

Manage product cost targets and development budgets

Work directly with overseas manufacturing partners through sampling and production ramp-up

Ensure products meet customer expectations, brand standards, and commercial objectives

Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design, Industrial Design, or similar

4+ years’ experience delivering complex consumer or physical products to market

Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier engagement

Proficiency in CAD xwzovoh and visualisation tools (e.g. SolidWorks/Rhino, Keyshot, Adobe Suite)

Confident communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders

Comfortable leading projects without direct line management responsibility

What’s Offered

Competitive salary (£40k–£50k depending on experience)

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Private healthcare and pension

Staff discount

Office-based role with some flexibility for hybrid working (Southampton area)