Mechanical Design Manager

Manager, Mechanical Design & Engineering

Category: Engineering

Location: Haverhill, Suffolk

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.

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