Mechanical Design Team Lead

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Location: Liverpool

Salary: 45,000 - 60,000 (per annum)

Job type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full time

Industry: Engineering / Mechanical Engineering

Company: Hays

Consultant: Alex Mellor

Hays office: Liverpool — Part 2nd Floor, 5 St Paul’s Square,

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Design Team Leader (Mechanical)

North West | 45,000 - 60,000 + Benefits

A well-established engineering manufacturer is seeking a Design Team Leader to lead and develop its Mechanical Design function while remaining hands-on in the design and delivery of bespoke engineered equipment.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer looking to step into a leadership role, or an existing Design Team Leader seeking a fresh challenge within a technically complex manufacturing environment.

The Opportunity

You'll play a key role in providing technical leadership, coordinating engineering activities and ensuring the successful delivery of projects from concept through to manufacture. Working closely with project, manufacturing and commercial teams, you'll help drive engineering excellence while mentoring and supporting a team of designers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Mechanical Design team, providing technical guidance and support.
• Allocate resources and manage engineering workloads across multiple projects.
• Drive design reviews, problem-solving activities and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Take ownership of selected projects, producing design solutions and manufacturing documentation using 3D CAD software.
• Ensure designs are safe, practical, manufacturable and compliant with customer and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with Project Engineers, Controls Engineers, Manufacturing and Purchasing teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Support the development of engineering standards, templates and best-practice design methodologies.
• Monitor project progress, identify technical risks and support mitigation activities.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience designing bespoke machinery, capital equipment or engineered-to-order products.
• Strong mechanical design background with the ability to produce detailed manufacturing documentation.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
• Strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills.
• Previous experience mentoring engineers, leading projects or coordinating design activities.

Desirable Experience

• Process equipment, powder handling, material handling or special-purpose machinery.
• Machinery safety, CE/UKCA compliance and risk assessments.
• ATEX or hazardous area environments.
• Pharmaceutical, chemical, food or other regulated manufacturing sectors.
• Automation and controls integration.
• Development of engineering standards and design best practices.

Why Apply?

This position offers the opportunity to influence the direction of an engineering department while remaining actively involved in challenging, bespoke projects. You'll join a collaborative environment where technical expertise is valued and where you can make a genuine impact on both product development and team performance. Salary: 45,000 - 60,000 + Benefits

For further information or a confidential discussion, please get in touch.

If this opportunity isn't quite right for you but you know someone who could be a good fit, I'd be grateful if you could point them in my direction.