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 Friday finish, life assurance, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Ongoing professional development opportunities and a focus on quality.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and drive design excellence in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design background and 3D CAD experience required.
The predicted salary is between 47500 - 52500 β¬ per year.
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 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 competitive remuneration but also a chance to make a meaningful impact in a growing organisation. Embrace the challenge of enhancing engineering processes while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative environment focused on innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Adviceπ€«
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Manager in Londonderry
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or join online forums where you can meet potential employers or colleagues who might know of openings. Remember, it's all about who you know!
β¨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best mechanical design projects. Include detailed descriptions of your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to their team.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to team leadership and design processes. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple projects. Confidence is key!
β¨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We have loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, itβs a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. So, get clicking and letβs get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Manager in Londonderry
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your mechanical design background and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can take ownership of a 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 Manager role. Share specific examples of your past achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Donβt forget to mention your 3D CAD experience, especially with Autodesk Inventor. Weβre looking for someone who can ensure high-quality design output, so make sure to highlight relevant projects where you've excelled in this area.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you donβt miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at 3D Personnel LTD
β¨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 your experience aligns with the specific requirements of the role, such as design for manufacture and assembly.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead a team and manage workloads effectively. Think about times when you mentored team members or resolved conflicts, as these experiences will demonstrate your capability to take ownership of the Mechanical Design function.
β¨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 in previous roles.
β¨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to answer technical questions related to design reviews, quality control, and continuous improvement. Prepare to discuss how you've implemented review checklists or approval gates in past projects to ensure high-quality outputs.