Design Manager – Bespoke Automation Birmingham Permanent | Competitive Salary Benefits An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Design Manager to lead the design and delivery of custom automation solutions for a variety of industries, including medical devices, automotive, and general engineering. You will take ownership of design leadership and strategy, guiding a talented team of designers in the development of special-purpose automation machinery, from concept and functionality through to final detailed design. Projects range from automated assembly and inspection systems to machine tending and materials handling solutions. The role of Design Manager will include: * Lead a team of design engineers, ensuring designs are produced to meet customer requirements, agreed specifications, and project timelines. * Take responsibility for machine concept development and functional design, working closely with engineers to generate the most effective technical solutions. * Oversee multiple designers working on different sections of the same machine or system, ensuring that all designs align, integrate correctly, and avoid costly errors or rework. * Promote a collaborative design culture, encouraging input from the team while steering the overall concept to deliver the best engineered solution for the customer. * Ensure designs are robust, practical, and engineered to a high standard, suitable for manufacture, assembly, and long-term reliability. * Work closely with project, controls, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are delivered efficiently, meet performance requirements, and comply with relevant standards. Typical Equipment Projects may involve the design and integration of: * Robotics, motion control systems and actuators * Pneumatics, PLC-based control systems, vision systems and sensors * Fixtures, sub-assemblies, bowl feeders, in-feed/out-feed conveyors * Automated solutions for assembly, inspection, machine tending, and material handling applications The suitable candidate for Design Manager will need to possess the following skills and experience: We’re looking for a technically strong and organised individual who can lead a design function while remaining hands-on: * Proven experience leading or managing a design team in an automation, special-purpose machinery, or related environment. * Strong background in mechanical design, with the ability to guide concept development and problem-solving. * Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple designers working on different machine elements, ensuring seamless integration. * Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to balance technical authority and team input to achieve the best customer outcome. * Strong understanding of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) and the commercial impact of design quality. If you're an experienced Design Manager or a Senior Designer ready to step up into leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV or get in touch for a confidential conversation