Mechanical Design Manager

Mechanical Design Manager £55-60k + Pension + DIS X2 Derbyshire Ref: 25328 An established manufacturer of specialist packaging and automation machinery is seeking a Mechanical Design Manager to lead its design function and support continued growth across a range of bespoke engineering projects. This role combines technical leadership, team management, and hands-on design involvement, supporting the delivery of complex machinery from concept through to manufacture. Mechanical Design Manager - The Role: This is a split-role position, responsible for both people management and technical delivery: Lead and manage a team of 5 Mechanical Design Engineers  Allocate workload, manage priorities, and ensure project deadlines are met  Provide technical leadership and act as the team’s design authority  Remain hands-on with approximately 30% design involvement, including: Concept design work  Complex problem solving  Key engineering decisions and reviews  Oversee full design lifecycle from concept through to production  Support the development of design specifications from customer requirements  Ensure designs meet performance, cost, and manufacturability targets  Review CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation  Ensure compliance with internal standards, SOPs, and regulatory requirements  Drive continuous improvement and standardisation across design output  Work closely with production, controls, and project teams Mechanical Design Manager - The Person: Strong background in mechanical design of machinery / automation equipment Experience with packaging machinery or special purpose machinery Proven experience using SolidWorks Strong understanding of: Mechanical systems and fabrication Design for manufacture (DFM) Bespoke machinery design Ability to manage workload across multiple concurrent projects Strong communication and leadership capability Ability to make clear technical decisions under pressure Located in Derbyshire, this role would be commutable from Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Coalville, Long Eaton, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Castle Donnington, Burton upin Trent, Swadlincote and Market Harborough. Looking for a job involved with automation, control systems, process control or systems integration? Register your details on our website where you will find a full list of live positions where a customised automated search process allows immediate access to new vacancies as they are registered. Free, confidential service. For further information please contact Sarah Clarke. AE1