At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead custom product solutions and collaborate across teams to drive innovative designs.
- Company: Join NaughtOne, a global furniture design company with a friendly Yorkshire spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work culture, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that values sustainability and creativity in furniture design.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering, project management, and a passion for custom solutions.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace where your individuality is celebrated.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Why join us? Because NaughtOne don’t make furniture for your home, you probably don’t know us. But LinkedIn, Google and Adobe do – because they all have our designs in their workplaces. The NaughtOne team are just as unique as the furniture we create and if you come to work with us, you’ll be joining a global business with a Yorkshire spirit. We have colleagues all over the world because the world is our customer, but our personality reflects our home: down-to-earth, friendly and honest. We’ve received numerous accolades, including The Queens Award for Enterprise for International Trade, and that makes us proud. We’ve always cared deeply about sustainability and we’re always looking for ways to do more and have a stronger impact. We don’t do it because it’s good for business – we do it because it’s the right thing. If any of that makes you curious, good – because curious people thrive at NaughtOne.
Role Overview: We are looking for a proactive, commercially aware Custom Engineering Lead to lead NaughtOne’s custom and tailored product solutions offering. This role is at the intersection of product, sales, and engineering — responsible for developing custom proposals, managing risk, leading technical feasibility work, and driving business-winning customer solutions. The ideal candidate combines strategic thinking with operational execution, enabling us to serve clients with speed, confidence, and precision.
Key Responsibilities- Process Development: Refine, document, and implement the end-to-end custom process to improve efficiency, scalability, and cross-functional alignment. Collaborate closely with MillerKnoll colleagues, OEM manufacturers, and internal stakeholders to harmonize workflows and standards. Build and maintain a robust, data-driven pricing framework that ensures accuracy, transparency, and profitability.
- Sales Enablement & Business Support: Act as the primary technical interface between Sales and Engineering for custom product requests. Work directly with the commercial team to shape winning proposals that align with client needs and NaughtOne capabilities. Ensure high responsiveness and professionalism in all client-facing communications and submissions.
- Risk Management & Feasibility: Assess technical, commercial, and operational risks associated with custom requests. Lead feasibility analysis and clearly communicate limitations or risks to internal stakeholders and customers. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies as part of proposal and delivery planning.
- Project Management & Delivery: Lead end-to-end project management of custom product solutions from approval through to manufacturing. Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, and logistics teams to ensure timely execution and delivery. Monitor progress, resolve blockers, and ensure accountability across departments.
- Market Insights: Gather and analyse insights from customer requests & project trends to inform business strategy and future product development. Build strong relationships with the A&D community, dealers, and global accounts to identify emerging needs and opportunities. Represent NaughtOne within the wider MillerKnoll network and marketplace as a knowledgeable, solutions-focused partner.
- Strategic Customer Service: Provide a high level of strategic customer service, building trust with key accounts, dealers, and MillerKnoll partners. Guide clients through the custom process, managing expectations, timelines, and communication. Represent NaughtOne's brand values in all custom solution work: responsive, intelligent, and grounded.
Who We Hire? At NaughtOne we believe in keeping things simple. So simply put, we hire qualified applicants representing a wide range of backgrounds and abilities – we are committed to equal opportunity employment. We honour and celebrate people's individuality, diversity and authenticity. In this inclusive environment, we thrive together, creating endless opportunities for us all to shine. Here, you can bring your whole self to work.
MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
Custom Engineering Lead in Harrogate employer: NaughtOne
Contact Detail:
NaughtOne Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Custom Engineering Lead in Harrogate
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know NaughtOne and its values before your interview. Research their unique approach to furniture design and sustainability. This will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask during your interview. This not only shows your curiosity but also helps you gauge if NaughtOne is the right fit for you. Think about how you can contribute to their mission and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills by sharing examples from your past experiences. NaughtOne values strategic thinking, so highlight how you've tackled challenges and delivered results in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Custom Engineering Lead in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity: At NaughtOne, we love curious minds! Make sure to express your curiosity about our products and processes in your application. It shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to thrive with us.
Tailor Your Application: Just like our custom furniture, your application should be unique! Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the Custom Engineering Lead role. We want to see how you can contribute to our team.
Be Professional Yet Friendly: We value down-to-earth communication. While you should maintain professionalism, don’t hesitate to let your personality shine through. A friendly tone can make your application stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at NaughtOne
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into NaughtOne's products and their unique selling points. Understand how they fit into the market and who their competitors are. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how your skills can contribute to their custom solutions.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of past collaborations. Highlight how you've successfully worked with sales, engineering, or other departments to deliver a project. This will demonstrate your ability to harmonise workflows and align with cross-functional teams.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that assess your understanding of risk management and feasibility analysis. Brush up on relevant technical concepts and be prepared to discuss how you've handled similar challenges in previous roles. This will show that you can lead the technical interface effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Customer-Centric Approach
NaughtOne values strategic customer service, so be ready to discuss how you've built trust with clients in the past. Share specific examples of how you've managed client expectations and delivered tailored solutions, showcasing your commitment to responsive and intelligent service.