At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in delivering high-quality mechanical designs for innovative manufacturing projects.
- Company: Join a leading engineering business in County Derry with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy an early finish on Fridays, life assurance, private medical insurance, and ongoing development.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mechanical design while mentoring and developing your team.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design background and 3D CAD experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Mechanical Design Manager required for a leading manufacturing and engineering business in County Derry. This role offers ownership of a growing Mechanical Design function, leading a team and ensuring high‑quality, consistent design output across live projects and development work.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership & Workload Management
- Manage and coordinate the daily workload of the Mechanical Design team.
- Allocate work across engineers, CAD technicians, and apprentices.
- Monitor project progress and escalate risks when required.
- Mentor and develop team members, providing technical guidance.
- Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and clear communication.
- Design Delivery
- Oversee mechanical design output across live projects.
- Ensure designs meet project specs, manufacturing capability, and internal standards.
- Support development of switchgear assemblies, sheet metal components, copperwork and busbar systems, enclosures, doors, covers, gland plates, plinths, and related systems.
- Ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and suitable for shop‑floor assembly.
- Review drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Design Review & Quality Control
- Lead structured design reviews before release to manufacturing.
- Ensure accuracy of 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and release packs.
- Prevent discrepancies across models, drawings, and production data.
- Drive continuous improvement through lessons learned and issue resolution.
- Implement review checklists, approval gates, and control processes.
- Standards & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and maintain design standards and best practice.
- Support standardisation of parts, assemblies, and drawings.
- Improve processes including change control and release workflows.
- Support use of Autodesk Inventor and Vault systems.
- Contribute to cost reduction, efficiency, and product development.
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Act as key engineering contact for manufacturing and internal teams.
- Support resolution of design‑related production issues.
- Collaborate with project management, procurement, and R&D.
- Attend design, production, and project meetings.
About You
Essential
- Strong background in mechanical design within manufacturing (e.g., switchgear, sheet metal, enclosures, machinery).
- Solid 3D CAD experience (ideally Autodesk Inventor).
- Experience producing and reviewing drawings, assemblies, and BOMs.
- Strong understanding of design for manufacture (sheet metal, fabrication, assembly).
- Ability to lead, organise, and support a technical team.
- Strong problem‑solving and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
- High attention to detail and focus on quality.
Desirable
- Experience with Autodesk Vault or similar PDM systems.
- Background in switchgear, power distribution, or electrical panels.
- Experience improving design systems, standards, and processes.
- Previous leadership or senior design experience.
What's on Offer
- Early Friday finish (12pm).
- Life assurance (3x salary).
- Employer pension contribution (3%).
- Private medical insurance (family option available).
- Supportive and rewarding workplace culture.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities.
Applications can only be accepted from candidates who already hold the legal right to work in N.Ireland.
Locations
Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in Derry, Londonderry employer: 3D Personnel LTD
Join a leading manufacturing and engineering business in County Derry, where you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic Mechanical Design team and drive high-quality design output. With a supportive workplace culture, early Friday finishes, and ongoing professional development opportunities, this role not only offers a chance to make a significant impact but also ensures your growth and well-being are prioritised. Experience a collaborative environment that values accountability and innovation, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in Derry, Londonderry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local meetups, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best mechanical design projects. Use platforms like LinkedIn to share your work and engage with others in the field. This will help you stand out when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mechanical design and team leadership. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It also keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in Derry, Londonderry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your mechanical design background, especially in manufacturing, and showcase your 3D CAD experience. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Mechanical Design Lead role. Share specific examples of your leadership experience and how you've improved design processes in the past. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention your problem-solving abilities. Give us examples of challenges you've faced in mechanical design and how you overcame them. We’re all about finding solutions at StudySmarter!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at 3D Personnel LTD
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical design knowledge, especially around switchgear and sheet metal. Familiarise yourself with Autodesk Inventor and be ready to discuss how you've used it in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Talk about how you allocate work, mentor team members, and promote accountability within your team.
✨Prepare for Design Reviews
Understand the importance of design reviews and quality control. Be ready to discuss how you ensure accuracy in 3D models and drawings, and how you handle discrepancies in production data.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires cross-functional collaboration, so think of examples where you've worked with other departments like project management or procurement. Highlight your communication skills and how you resolve design-related issues.
