Head of Design

Head of Design – Mechanical Engineering

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