Head of Design

Head of Design – Mechanical Engineering Location: Cambridge Salary: £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus + benefits Overview: We are seeking an experienced Head of Design to lead our Design Department in developing high-quality, innovative, and commercially competitive products for the food industry. The role combines hands-on design with leadership responsibilities, mentoring engineers, and driving continuous improvement across design processes. Key Responsibilities: * Lead the creation of 3D parts and assemblies in SolidWorks, producing comprehensive manufacturing drawing packs, including BOMs, laser profiles, and work orders. * Develop and implement design standards, processes, and best practices to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance with legislation and company standards. * Review and approve drawings, conduct design reviews, and ensure data quality across the team. * Plan and coordinate the daily activities of the design team, providing guidance and resolving technical queries. * Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. * Work closely with Project Engineers to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to quality standards. * Capture design changes from manufacturing, installation, or commissioning and incorporate them into future designs. * Liaise with customers and suppliers for design reviews, approvals, and sourcing of materials and components. * Conduct site visits for surveys and customer liaison. * Identify cost-saving opportunities and improvements in manufacturing processes and product designs. * Support cross-functional teams with technical expertise and contribute to departmental KPIs and performance monitoring. Requirements: * Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience. * Proven senior design engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including transferring bespoke designs into production. * Experience leading or mentoring a design team and delivering projects to schedule, budget, and quality requirements. * Proficiency in SolidWorks 3D and AutoCAD 2D; experience with sheet metal and fabrication design desirable. * Knowledge of the food processing equipment industry advantageous. Skills & Attributes: * Strong problem-solving, organisational, and time-management skills. * Ability to generate innovative, technically differentiated solutions. * Understanding of system integration and business impact of design decisions. * Excellent communication skills for cross-functional and external collaboration. * Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including occasional weekends. Benefits: * Competitive salary £65,000 – £75,000 + performance-based bonus * 25 days holiday + bank holidays * Pension scheme * Professional development and career progression opportunities