Location: Essex
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + Benefits
Job Type: Permanent
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Drawing Office Manager to join a leading engineering business specialising in bespoke automation and capital equipment.
This is a key leadership role responsible for managing the Design Office, ensuring high-quality engineering output, driving continuous improvement, and supporting the successful delivery of customer projects. You'll lead a team of Design Engineers while remaining technically involved in complex mechanical design activities.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage the Drawing Office, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards.
* Allocate design resources across multiple engineering projects based on workload and priorities.
* Monitor project progress, capacity and delivery schedules, identifying and mitigating potential risks.
* Conduct design reviews and provide technical guidance to Design Engineers.
* Support complex mechanical design activities during peak workloads.
* Develop and maintain engineering design standards, best practices and component libraries.
* Manage Autodesk Vault data and ensure drawing and BOM integrity.
* Ensure engineering documentation is accurate, controlled and compliant throughout the project lifecycle.
* Work closely with Project Managers, Production and Procurement to ensure successful project delivery.
* Support early procurement activities for long-lead components.
* Provide technical input for customer enquiries and new project quotations.
* Mentor, develop and carry out performance reviews for Design Engineers.
* Drive continuous improvement across design processes and departmental performance.
About You
* Previous experience leading a Design Office or Mechanical Design team.
* Strong mechanical design background within automation, capital equipment or special purpose machinery.
* Proficient in Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD and Autodesk Vault (SolidWorks experience also considered).
* Strong understanding of BS8888 drafting standards.
* Experience with machining, fabrication and sheet metal design.
* Knowledge of engineer-to-order manufacturing and long-duration projects.
* Experience managing BOMs and CAD data linked to ERP systems.
* Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving.
Desirable Skills
* Experience with conveyor systems, airflow or ductwork design.
* Knowledge of ATEX and machinery safety standards.
* Membership of a recognised engineering institution.
What's on Offer
* £55,000 - £65,000 basic salary.
* Permanent position with a growing engineering business.
* Opportunity to lead a highly skilled design team on technically challenging projects.
* Long-term career progression and professional development.
* Comprehensive benefits package
Salary description
£55000.00 - £65000.00 per year