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About the role:
As Design Manager for Hydradig, you’ll head up the engineering team, driving forward new product development and supporting current machine performance. You’ll oversee design, specification, and delivery of multiple engineering programmes, working cross-functionally and globally to meet customer needs and future application demands. This is a hands-on leadership role where your creativity, technical expertise, and strategic thinking will shape the future of Hydradig—making a real impact on efficiency, sustainability, and product excellence.
What does this role involve day to day?
• Lead the Engineering team and manage projects across the Hydradig platform.
• Oversee engineering activities including specification, design, and drawing approval for multiple concurrent programmes.
• Ensure delivery to scope, cost, quality and timelines, while supporting current product performance and improvements.
• Collaborate with the Development Manager and NPIP team to develop project briefs and plans.
• Coordinate all aspects of engineering programmes and communicate progress to stakeholders.
• Work cross-functionally and globally with colleagues across the group engineering team.
• Understand customer needs and future application requirements to guide product development.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement, contributing to the product roadmap and future technology adoption.
• Implement cost reductions and quality improvements with full lifecycle awareness.
• Utilise departmental systems and procedures including CAD, PLM, and ePCM.
• Apply knowledge of test procedures, rig operations, and test equipment.
• Lead DFMEA and 8D problem-solving/root cause analysis activities.
This will be suited to you if:
· You have a strong engineering background and proven experience in delivering complex programmes.
· You’re passionate about innovation, future technologies, and sustainability goals such as emissions reduction.
· You’re confident working cross-functionally and globally, with excellent communication and leadership skills.
· You understand the full lifecycle of components and are committed to improving affordability and uptime for customers.
· You’re familiar with engineering systems and tools, and have hands-on experience with testing and validation processes.
· You’re a Chartered Engineer or hold an equivalent qualification.
What happens next?
Ordinarily, our Resourcing Team reviews and shortlists CVs. If shortlisted, you’ll speak to one of our Recruiters to discuss the role further. Our interview process usually consists of an initial Teams interview followed by an in-person interview. We’ll keep in touch throughout the process but if you have any questions, please get in touch at .
What’s in it for you?
This is your chance to join a company that values expertise not only in rewards but also in real employee care. At JCB you don’t just get a competitive salary, 33 days’ holiday and access to our company pension—you can also use our onsite gym, in-house doctor, dentist and visiting optician. We have an ULEV car scheme available for our employees too. Then there’s the JCB Rewards Hub, which gives you discounts with high street retailers. Feel like biking to work? There’s our Cycle to Work Scheme.
We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair and inclusive. If you face any accessibility challenges with your online application and require additional support, you have the option of speaking to a member of our Recruitment Team who can support you to complete an application in an alternative format. If you would benefit from this support, please email, and a member of the team will be in touch.
Recruitment Agencies: JCB does not accept any speculative approaches to present candidates for advertised vacancies.