Location: Cambridge
Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus + benefits
Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Head of Design to lead our Design Department in developing high-quality, innovative, and commercially competitive products for the food industry. The role combines hands-on design with leadership responsibilities, mentoring engineers, and driving continuous improvement across design processes.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the creation of 3D parts and assemblies in SolidWorks, producing comprehensive manufacturing drawing packs, including BOMs, laser profiles, and work orders.
* Develop and implement design standards, processes, and best practices to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and company standards.
* Review and approve drawings, conduct design reviews, and ensure data quality across the team.
* Plan and coordinate the daily activities of the design team, providing guidance and resolving technical queries.
* Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
* Work closely with Project Engineers to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards.
* Capture design changes from manufacturing, installation, or commissioning and incorporate them into future designs.
* Liaise with customers and suppliers for design reviews, approvals, and sourcing of materials and components.
* Conduct site visits for surveys and customer liaison.
* Identify cost-saving opportunities and improvements in manufacturing processes and product designs.
* Support cross-functional teams with technical expertise and contribute to departmental KPIs and performance monitoring.
Requirements:
* Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
* Proven senior design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including transferring bespoke designs into production.
* Experience leading or mentoring a design team and delivering projects to schedule, budget, and quality requirements.
* Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D and AutoCAD 2D; experience with sheet metal and fabrication design desirable.
* Knowledge of the food processing equipment industry advantageous.
Skills & Attributes:
* Strong problem-solving, organisational, and time-management skills.
* Ability to generate innovative, technically differentiated solutions.
* Understanding of system integration and business impact of design decisions.
* Excellent communication skills for cross-functional and external collaboration.
* Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including occasional weekends.
Benefits:
* Competitive salary £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays
* Pension scheme
* Professional development and career progression opportunities
Salary description
£65000.00 - £75000.00 per year