At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Mechanical Design team and oversee innovative design projects.
- Company: Leading manufacturing and engineering business in County Derry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, early finish on Fridays, life assurance, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Ongoing professional development opportunities and a culture of accountability.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and drive design excellence in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design background and solid 3D CAD experience required.
Mechanical Design Manager required for a leading manufacturing and engineering business in County Derry. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of a growing Mechanical Design function, leading a team and ensuring high-quality, consistent design output across live projects and development work. This role is key in strengthening the engineering structure, allowing senior leadership to focus on long-term strategy, systems, and product development while you lead the day-to-day design operations.
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
If you're ready to step into a leadership role and drive design excellence within a well-established engineering business, we'd love to hear from you. Please note: Applications can only be accepted from candidates who already hold the legal right to work in N.Ireland.
Mechanical Design Manager 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 competitive remuneration but also a chance to make a meaningful impact in a growing organisation. Embrace a culture of accountability and innovation while enjoying the benefits of life assurance, private medical insurance, and a pension contribution.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Manager in Derry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best mechanical design projects. Use visuals to demonstrate your expertise in CAD and design for manufacture, making it easy for hiring managers to see what you bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in leading design teams and ensuring quality output. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Manager in Derry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Mechanical Design Manager role. Highlight your background in mechanical design, especially in manufacturing, and showcase your leadership experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead a design team and deliver high-quality outputs.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your 3D CAD experience, particularly with Autodesk Inventor. If you have experience with PDM systems like Autodesk Vault, make sure to include that too, as it’s a big plus for us!
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 serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at 3D Personnel LTD
✨Know Your Design Fundamentals
Brush up on your mechanical design principles, especially those relevant to switchgear and sheet metal components. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your depth of knowledge and experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team or managed workloads in previous roles. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you promote accountability and clear communication within your team.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tools
Make sure you're comfortable discussing Autodesk Inventor and Vault systems. If you have experience with similar PDM systems, be ready to explain how you've used them to improve design processes and standards.
✨Prepare for Design Reviews
Think about how you would lead structured design reviews and ensure quality control. Be prepared to discuss your approach to preventing discrepancies and driving continuous improvement through lessons learned.
