At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform creative concepts into manufacturable designs using SolidWorks.
- Company: Join a leading European retail marketing agency with exciting projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Showcase your portfolio of innovative designs and join a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Take ownership of technical design and make a real impact on global brands.
- Qualifications: Strong SolidWorks experience and a background in retail or manufacturing design.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 47000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Senior Technical Designer, SolidWorks Designer or Technical CAD Designer who knows how to take a creative concept and turn it into something that can actually be manufactured? We're looking for a technically strong Senior Technical Designer to join one of Europe's leading retail marketing agencies, working on physical retail projects, POS displays, retail fixtures, brand activations and in-store environments for some of the world's most recognised consumer brands.
Strong professional SolidWorks experience is essential for this position. This isn't a traditional 3D visualisation or purely creative design role. We're looking for a SolidWorks Designer / Technical Designer who understands how physical products, retail displays, POS, fixtures and branded environments are engineered, constructed and manufactured.
You'll take approved creative concepts and become the technical bridge between creative design and physical production – developing concepts into accurate 3D SolidWorks models, technical drawings and manufacture-ready designs.
The Senior SolidWorks Designer Role
As a Senior Technical Designer, you'll take ownership of the technical design process across a varied portfolio of retail, POS and brand activation projects. Working closely with Project Managers, creative teams, suppliers, fabricators and manufacturing partners, you'll take approved creative concepts and develop them into technically resolved SolidWorks designs ready for manufacture.
You'll produce detailed 3D CAD models, elevations, sections, assembly drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), specification sheets and manufacture-ready technical drawings, ensuring dimensional accuracy, structural integrity and manufacturing viability. A major part of the role will involve technically interrogating designs before they reach production. You'll consider materials, tolerances, construction methods, manufacturing processes, costs and assembly requirements, identifying potential problems early and recommending practical solutions. You'll also apply value engineering to improve manufacturing efficiency and cost without compromising the original creative concept.
SolidWorks & Technical Design Experience
We're particularly interested in candidates with a strong background in SolidWorks and technical design for physical manufacture. Your experience should ideally include:
- SolidWorks & 3D CAD: strong professional SolidWorks experience, parametric 3D modelling, assemblies and detailed technical drawings.
- Retail / POS Design: retail displays, Point of Sale (POS), Point of Purchase (POP), retail fixtures, shopfitting, branded environments, exhibitions or brand activations.
- Manufacturing Design: manufacture-ready drawings, dimensions, tolerances, materials, construction methods, Bills of Materials and specification sheets.
- Production & Suppliers: working directly with manufacturers, fabricators and suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure designs can be successfully manufactured.
You'll need to understand more than how something looks. You'll understand how it is made. Experience working with materials such as timber, metal, acrylic, formed plastics and print would therefore be highly valuable, alongside an understanding of different fabrication and manufacturing processes.
What We're Looking For
The successful Senior Technical Designer / SolidWorks Designer will have proven experience within a technical design environment involving physical manufacture. We're particularly interested in people currently working as a Senior Technical Designer, Technical Designer, SolidWorks Designer, CAD Designer, Senior CAD Designer, Technical CAD Designer, Retail Technical Designer, POS Designer, Retail Display Designer or Design Engineer.
Experience within retail display, POS/POP, shopfitting, retail fixtures, exhibitions, experiential, brand activation or a similar manufactured environment would be particularly relevant. You'll be confident challenging a design rather than simply drawing what you've been given. You'll be able to identify manufacturing problems, question tolerances and construction methods and work collaboratively with creative teams to find a solution that retains the original design intent. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are also important, as you'll work closely with Project Managers, designers, suppliers, fabricators and manufacturing partners across multiple live projects.
Previous experience within an agency, production, retail design or brand activation environment would be particularly useful, especially if you've worked on projects for FMCG, grocery or major retail brands.
Why Consider This Senior Technical Designer Role?
This is an opportunity to join a leading European retail marketing agency and work on high-profile physical retail projects for major global brands. Rather than simply producing CAD drawings, you'll have genuine ownership of the technical design and manufacturing process, helping turn ambitious creative concepts into physical retail experiences that can be successfully engineered, manufactured and installed.
Portfolio Required
As this is a technically focused SolidWorks / Technical Designer position, a portfolio or examples of relevant work will be required as part of the application process. We're particularly interested in seeing examples of SolidWorks 3D modelling, parametric models, technical drawings and completed manufactured projects, ideally involving retail displays, POS, fixtures, exhibitions or branded environments.
Key Skills: Senior Technical Designer, Technical Designer, SolidWorks Designer, SolidWorks, CAD Designer, Senior CAD Designer, Technical CAD Designer, Retail Technical Designer, POS Designer, Point of Sale Designer, POP Designer, Retail Display Designer, Design Engineer, 3D CAD, Parametric Modelling, Technical Drawings, Manufacturing Drawings, Production Drawings, Retail Design, Retail Display, POS, POP, Point of Sale, Retail Fixtures, Shopfitting, Brand Activation, Exhibitions, Manufacturing Design, Production Design.
Senior Technical Designer in Northampton employer: SSA Digital Recruitment
Join one of Bedford's leading software companies as an IT Support Specialist, where you'll not only provide essential 1st and 2nd line support but also engage in exciting projects that enhance the business. With a hybrid working model, excellent benefits, and a focus on employee growth through exposure to modern technologies and collaborative teamwork, this role offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive environment. If you're passionate about IT and eager to make a real impact, this is the perfect place for you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Designer in Northampton
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
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✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like SSA Digital Recruitment, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Designer in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to SSA Digital Recruitment specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSA Digital Recruitment
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with SSA Digital Recruitment, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like SSA Digital Recruitment value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
