At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Mechanical Design team and oversee innovative projects in manufacturing.
- Company: Join a leading engineering business in County Derry with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy an early Friday finish, life assurance, pension contributions, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Opportunities for ongoing professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mechanical design while developing your leadership skills.
- 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. 3D Personnel is acting as an Employment Agency. We are committed to equality of opportunity and uphold strict data privacy standards. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website.
Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in 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 within a collaborative environment. Enjoy unique benefits such as private medical insurance and a strong employer pension contribution, making this an excellent place for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in 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
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their design standards and recent developments. This will help you showcase your knowledge and passion during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills! Brush up on your 3D CAD software, especially Autodesk Inventor, and be ready to discuss your design process. Being able to demonstrate your expertise can set you apart from other candidates.
✨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 are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Lead — Manufacturing & Enclosures in 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 passionate about this role and how your previous experiences align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your leadership skills and problem-solving abilities!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. We love seeing practical examples of your work, especially those that demonstrate your design for manufacture knowledge and attention to detail.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
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 Vault, as these tools are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss specific projects or challenges you've faced will show your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Think of examples where you've successfully mentored team members or managed workloads effectively. Highlight how you promote accountability and clear communication within your team.
✨Prepare for Design Reviews
Understand the importance of design reviews in ensuring quality output. Be ready to discuss how you approach reviewing drawings and specifications, and how you prevent discrepancies. Mention any structured processes you've implemented in past roles to improve design accuracy.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
This role values continuous improvement, so come armed with examples of how you've contributed to process enhancements in previous positions. Discuss any experience you have with standardisation of parts and assemblies, and how you've driven efficiency in design workflows.
