Technical Design Manager in London

About Neg Earth Lights

Founded in 1983 by Dave & Pip Ridgway, Neg Earth Lights is a family‐owned lighting and rigging equipment supplier for the entertainment industry. We are based at purpose‐built state‐of‐the‐art facilities in Park Royal, London. Every day brings new challenges and fosters a commitment to sustainable live events and touring, creating real emotions and lasting memories while building belonging among our team. With over 40 years of experience investing in the latest equipment, people, and relationships, we encourage ingenuity, creativity and the exploration of new ways to collaborate. From concept to delivery our team is known for innovation, quality and reliability. We invest in the latest equipment and maintain everything to the highest standard. We are forward‐thinking, flexible and make the complex simple and exceptional. Training and development are central to us; our NELL Academy training programmes, Leadership Programmes and clear competencies support every employee's growth.

About You & the Role

The Technical Design Manager will oversee the day‐to‐day operations of two small but dynamic teams: a workshop team of fabricators and maintenance staff, and a CAD team of two people. This hands‐on leader will balance supervision, scheduling, resource management and technical expertise, ensuring projects are completed efficiently, safely and to a high standard. The role is cross‐departmental, fostering collaboration and process improvement.

Your Duties

• Team Management & Supervision
  • Lead, motivate, and support your team.
  • Allocate tasks, monitor workloads, and ensure deadlines are met.
  • Provide training, coaching, and performance feedback.
  • Act as liaison between the CAD/Workshop departments and other business areas.
  • Primary point of contact for the Procurement team.
• Workshop Operations
  • Plan, schedule and oversee fabrication, repair and maintenance work.
  • Optimize workshop resources, tools and materials.
  • Maintain accurate records of work completed, inventory and job progress.
• CAD Team
  • Ensure drawings and models are accurate, timely and aligned with project requirements.
  • Allocate design tasks, review progress and provide technical guidance.
  • Facilitate collaboration between design staff, fabricators and maintenance team.
  • Act as link between design and workshop teams for seamless translation of CAD drawings.
  • Approve drawings before release to fabrication/production.
  • Validate designs are practical, cost‐effective and manufacturable.
  • Maintain drawing standards, version control and document management.
  • Conduct regular design reviews for compliance with specifications, industry standards and customer requirements.
  • Identify opportunities to improve design efficiency and accuracy.
  • Support integration of new CAD tools, processes and methodologies.
  • Encourage knowledge sharing between CAD and workshop staff.
• Fabrication & Maintenance Oversight
  • Collaborate to ensure seamless delivery of fabrication according to drawings.
  • Oversee the fabrication of parts, assemblies and structures to specification.
  • Coordinate maintenance activities for equipment, machinery and facilities.
  • Conduct quality control checks.
• Compliance
  • Ensure safe working practices at all times.
  • Carry out risk assessments and enforce health & safety policies.
  • Ensure compliance with company standards and regulations.
  • Review internal and cross‐departmental processes for continuous improvement.
• Administration & Reporting
  • Manage stock levels, order materials and control workshop costs.
  • Prepare progress updates, maintenance logs and project reports.
  • Liaise with other departments and external contractors.
  • Manage stock requirements.
• Company‐wide Responsibilities
  • Deliver high‐level customer service to internal customers, freelancers and clients.
  • Any other duties as authorized by Line Manager.
  • Comply with all Health & Safety requirements, policies and procedures.
  • Ensure work areas remain clean and tidy.

Requirements

• Essential
  • Proven experience in a workshop/fabrication environment, ideally in a supervisory or managerial role.
  • Strong knowledge of fabrication and carpentry processes, machining and maintenance practices.
  • Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
  • Strong understanding of CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks).
  • Ability to interpret and validate technical drawings, models and schematics.
  • Strong problem‐solving abilities with a hands‐on approach.
  • Good IT skills for reporting, scheduling and record‐keeping.
  • Knowledge of health & safety regulations and safe workshop practices.
  • Ability to work autonomously while being a team player.
  • Willingness to take ownership and accountability.
  • Planning, prioritising, delegating and overseeing workload.
  • Work under pressure and tight deadlines, demonstrating resilience, flexibility and positive relationships.
  • Can‐do positive attitude.
  • Ability to work paid overtime on occasions, including weekends.
  • MS Office skills – Outlook, Excel, Word.
• Desirable
  • Trade or engineering qualification (fabrication, welding, mechanical).
  • CAD design experience.
  • Experience in facilities or plant maintenance.
  • First Aid, IOSH or similar safety certifications.
  • Experience in design‐for‐manufacture (DFM) and collaboration with fabricators.
  • Familiarity with product development cycles and change management.

Employment Details

• Seniority level: Mid‐Senior level
• Employment type: Full‐time
• Job function: Other
• Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting
• Location: London, England, United Kingdom