At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative products from concept to production in a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join ICL Tech, a leading plastics manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with a talented team and gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning ideas into tangible products across diverse industries.
- Qualifications: Degree in Product Design Engineering or relevant field; strong CAD skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Company Information
ICL Tech is a long-established plastics vacuum forming and plastic fabrication company based in Glasgow, Scotland. Working with an impressive UK and international customer base, we’ve built an enviable reputation for manufacturing cost-effective, high quality plastic parts and products. Alongside customer-led manufacturing, we design, develop and produce our own proprietary product ranges for UK and export markets — award-winning problem-solving solutions built around real industry challenges. Our business combines practical manufacturing expertise with a strong focus on product design, development, and R&D, underpinned by advanced, end-to-end product development capabilities and technologies. As part of the ICL Plastics Ltd Group, ICL Tech benefits from access to a close network of plastics distribution, specialist manufacturing, and precision polymer engineering businesses, enabling greater capability and collaboration.
Role
We are looking for a Product Design Engineering graduate / early career engineer, alongside mid-weight and senior engineers, to join ICL Tech’s Design, Development & R&D team. This is a role for engineers who want to work at the interface between design and manufacturing - developing ideas into production-ready parts and seeing them realised through materials, tooling and process. Working closely with customers and our manufacturing teams, you will play an active role in delivering practical, high-quality engineered solutions across a wide range of industries.
Key Responsibilities
- Work across all stages of development projects, from concept through prototyping, validation and into manufacture
- Translate customer requirements into engineered, production-ready solutions
- Strong capability in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred), producing complex models, assemblies and technical drawings that clearly convey design intent
- Apply design for manufacture (DfM) principles
- Work closely with manufacturing teams to prototype, test and refine designs
- Support and progress projects through development into production
- Contribute to R&D activities across customer projects and proprietary product ranges
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in design and manufacturing processes
- Be comfortable in a workshop environment using prototyping and fabrication skills to rapidly bring design concepts to life for testing and iteration.
Opportunity
- Work with a diverse UK and international customer base across sectors including transport, aerospace, construction, energy and renewables
- Contribute to proprietary product development and next-gen product innovation for UK and export markets
- Gain exposure across the full product lifecycle - from concept and R&D through to production and commercialisation
- Opportunities for customer interaction, site visits, UK & international industry events
- Work closely with design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing teams
- Experience working collaboratively across sister companies
Skills & Experience
- Degree in Product Design Engineering (preferred)
- A qualification in a relevant engineering field (Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering) will also be considered, supported by Product Design experience
- Strong interest in design innovation, ergonomics and usability in design, and R&D
- Practical, manufacturing-focused mindset
- Strong visual, verbal and written communication skills, able to clearly present design concepts and rationale to a range of stakeholders
- Understanding of polymer manufacturing processes - machining, fabrication, 3D printing, 3D scanning, thermoforming (desirable)
- Comfortable creating and managing Bill of Materials (BOM) (desirable)
Technical Skills
- Strong CAD & 3D modelling skills (SolidWorks preferred)
- Proficiency in design tools beyond CAD, including Adobe Creative Suite for presentation and technical documentation.
- Comfortable working across a variety of design and engineering tools to support the full product development lifecycle
- Proficient in Microsoft Office for documentation, data handling and presentations
- Awareness of wider digital tools (e.g. web platforms, analytics or AI tools) to support product communication and development
Experience by Level
- Graduate / Early Career: Product Design Engineering degree (essential) Interest in hands-on product development
- Mid-weight: 3–5 years’ experience in product design engineering Experience supporting projects through to manufacture Strong understanding of DfM and materials
- Senior: 5+ years’ experience delivering projects from concept to production (essential) Ability to take ownership and solve complex design challenges Experience working with customers, and relationship development Previous senior management or Director role – experience of leading a team and mentoring others (desirable)
What We Offer
- Industry-leading salary based on your experience
- Discretionary award
- Hands-on role in a 50+ years established, innovation-led manufacturing business
- Opportunities to collaborate across the Group
- Clear progression pathway into more senior roles
- Extended benefits offering aligned with experience and role
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter confirming the level you are applying for, highlighting relevant experience and why you’re excited about the opportunity at ICL Tech. Please also include brief details of one or two relevant projects or challenges from your studies or career.
Product Design Engineer in Glasgow employer: ICL Tech Ltd
ICL Tech is an exceptional employer located in Glasgow, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets practical manufacturing. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide clear progression pathways and opportunities to collaborate across our Group, ensuring that every team member can contribute to exciting projects for a diverse range of industries. Our commitment to a hands-on role in an established, award-winning company allows you to see your designs come to life while enjoying competitive salaries and extended benefits tailored to your experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Engineer in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry through LinkedIn or local meetups. 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 that highlights your best design projects. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and visually appealing, as this will give potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and showcasing your problem-solving skills. Think about how you can relate your experiences to the role at ICL Tech, especially around design and manufacturing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the ICL Tech team.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Engineer in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Design Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience, especially any projects that showcase your design and engineering skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share why you're excited about working with us at ICL Tech and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention the level you’re applying for!
Showcase Your Projects:Include details of one or two relevant projects or challenges you've tackled. This gives us insight into your problem-solving skills and how you approach design challenges. We love seeing creativity in action!
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. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at ICL Tech Ltd
✨Know Your CAD Software
Make sure you brush up on your 3D CAD skills, especially if you're familiar with SolidWorks. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used CAD to create complex models or assemblies, as this will show your technical prowess.
✨Understand Design for Manufacture (DfM)
Familiarise yourself with DfM principles and be prepared to explain how you've applied them in past projects. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between design and manufacturing, which is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of examples where you've tackled design challenges or improved processes. Be ready to share these stories during the interview, as ICL Tech values innovative problem-solving that leads to practical solutions.
✨Engage with the Company’s Vision
Research ICL Tech's product ranges and their approach to R&D. Show genuine interest in their work and be prepared to discuss how your skills and interests align with their mission to deliver high-quality engineered solutions.
