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 early finishes, life assurance, private medical insurance, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- 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.
Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in Derry 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
✨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
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best mechanical design projects. Whether it's CAD models or completed assemblies, having tangible evidence of your work can really set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in Derry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Mechanical Design Lead role. Highlight your experience in mechanical design, especially in manufacturing and enclosures. We want to see how your skills match the job description!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your 3D CAD experience, particularly with Autodesk Inventor. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we see your technical prowess right away!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
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.
