Engineering Manager (Design)

Our client is an established, global manufacturing business with a strong engineering heritage and a reputation for innovation in the markets it serves. As part of continued investment in its engineering function, they are now looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to lead a multi-disciplinary team spanning Mechanical, Electrical and Software engineering.

This is a genuine leadership role, not a caretaker position. You will take ownership of product definition and technical documentation, drive continuous improvement across products and processes, and act as the critical link between engineering, R&D, and the wider business — shaping what gets designed, how it's built, and how it reaches the customer.

What You'll Be Doing

* Provide strong leadership and direction to a multi-disciplinary Engineering team (Mechanical, Electrical & Software), setting clear objectives and holding the team accountable to them.

* Own the on-time, accurate release of product definition — including engineering models, drawings and bills of materials (BOMs) — for new and existing products.

* Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives across product design and manufacturing processes to reduce cost, reduce errors, and improve efficiency.

* Partner closely with the Research & Development team during product development to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective and fit for purpose (DFMA).

* Maintain and improve processes to ensure compliance with relevant industry and quality standards.

* Work cross-functionally with Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to support new business, quotations, and technical queries.

* Track KPIs related to cost, quality, and delivery, and take corrective action where required to protect "right first time" performance.

* Drive cost reduction through engineering change without compromising product quality or customer satisfaction.

* Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture within the Engineering team.

What We're Looking For

* Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams (Mechanical, Electrical and/or Software) within a manufacturing or engineered-product environment.

* Strong background in product definition — drawings, models and BOMs — with a focus on accuracy, compliance and on-time delivery.

* Solid understanding of DFMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly), cost reduction through engineering change, and structured problem-solving.

* Comfortable using KPIs and data to drive performance and continuous improvement.

* Working knowledge of quality systems and compliance standards (e.g. CE marking), with a track record of reducing non-conformances.

* Commercially aware, with the confidence to work directly with Sales and customers on technical queries and new opportunities.

* A clear, engaging communicator who can influence stakeholders across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and Sales.

* Relevant engineering qualification and/or demonstrable equivalent experience.

What's On Offer

* A genuine next-career-step opportunity with real ownership and autonomy.

* The chance to lead and shape a growing engineering function within an established, values-led business.

* Competitive salary, dependent on experience, plus benefits package.

* A collaborative, One Team culture that invests in its people
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed