Mechanical Design Manager

Manager, Mechanical Design & Engineering

Category: Engineering

Location: Haverhill, Suffolk

Ref: 2999

🎯 Position Purpose

The Mechanical Design & Engineering Manager is responsible for the day‑to‑day leadership, performance and development of a multi‑disciplinary engineering design team. The role balances project supervision and team management, ensuring high‑quality delivery, effective resource allocation, and a collaborative, growth‑focused culture.

This manager supports the wider UK and global engineering functions, guiding design solutions, coaching team members, and driving continuous improvement across projects and processes.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Project Supervising / Advising — 50%

Project oversight for locally delivered engineering projects.

Risk advising and escalation of technical issues.

Estimating & bidding support for new work.

Quality checks and continuous improvement activities.

Monitoring project progress and ensuring successful delivery.

Team Management / Coaching — 50%

1:1 leadership, mentoring and career development.

Training facilitation and skills growth.

Timesheet, expense and system approvals.

Supporting resource scheduling and workforce planning.

Representing the team in local leadership forums.

Promoting a positive, adaptable, growth‑mindset culture.
🧠 Core Competencies

Aptitude

Efficiency — Delivers strong output with minimal wasted effort.

Organisation & planning — Prioritises effectively and manages workload.

Calm under pressure — Performs steadily in high‑pressure environments.

Versatility — Able to contribute across multiple engineering functions.

Proactivity — Brings new ideas and acts independently.

Flexibility — Adapts quickly to changing priorities.

Continuous improvement — Seeks better ways of working.

Collaboration

Integrity — Honest, ethical, and trustworthy.

Follow‑through — Delivers on commitments.

Listening skills — Understands others’ viewpoints.

Communication — Clear, concise written and verbal communication.

Teamwork — Builds strong relationships across teams.

Persuasion — Influences decisions constructively.

Openness to feedback — Responds calmly and constructively.

Shared learning — Encourages knowledge transfer.

Conflict resolution — Handles disagreements productively.

Commitment

Enthusiasm — Positive, energetic, and engaged.

Advocacy — Represents the organisation and customers effectively.

Work ethic — Strong commitment to delivery.

High standards — Expects excellence from self and team.

Persistence — Tenacious in achieving outcomes.

Role modelling — Demonstrates organisational values.

🎓 Minimum Qualifications

BSc in Mechanical Engineering or similar technical discipline.

Experience managing technical teams with an emotionally intelligent, collaborative approach.

Exposure to complex engineering or technology‑driven industries.

Proven ability to operate effectively in fast‑paced, high‑pressure decision‑making environments.

🎁 Benefits

Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions.

Life assurance.

Health cashback plan.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

Cycle to Work scheme.

Income protection / critical illness cover.

Optional private medical insurance (role‑dependent).

Paid annual leave increasing with service.

UK bank holidays
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed