Design Manager
Mechanical Design | Capital Equipment & Special Purpose Machinery
Blackburn, Lancashire | £50,000 to £55,000 + benefits
The Opportunity
An established and growing capital equipment manufacturing business is seeking a Design Manager / Mechanical Design Manager to lead and develop a mid-sized team of Design Engineers.
The company designs and manufactures bespoke machinery and special purpose equipment in the UK for customers worldwide and is currently benefiting from continued investment and expansion. This creates an excellent opportunity to join a stable, well-run engineering business at a key stage of growth.
This role would suit an experienced Design Manager, Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, or Senior Mechanical Design Engineer ready to step up into a formal leadership position.
You’ll combine hands-on mechanical design leadership with people management, design governance, and continuous improvement across machinery and capital equipment projects.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will take ownership of the mechanical design function, leading engineers across multiple projects and ensuring designs progress smoothly from concept through manufacture and commissioning.
This is not a purely hands-off role. You will remain technically involved while shaping standards, supporting engineers, and improving how design is delivered across the business.
A strong understanding of sheet metal design, fabrication, and manufacturing principles is highly desirable, as many machines are fabricated and assembled in-house.
Key Responsibilities for the Design Manager / Mechanical Design Lead
* Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mechanical Design Engineers across multiple machinery projects
* Provide technical leadership across capital equipment and special purpose machinery design
* Review and approve layouts, detailed designs, calculations, and technical documentation
* Oversee the full design lifecycle: concept, 3D CAD design, detailed design, manufacture, and commissioning support
* Drive design standardisation, best practice, and continuous improvement initiatives
* Ensure compliance with Machinery Directive, CE marking, and UKCA requirements
* Work closely with Manufacturing, Automation, Project, and Service teams to ensure buildable, practical designs
* Support technical problem-solving during build, test, installation, and commissioning phases
* Develop and maintain effective use of SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM systems
* Promote a strong design-for-manufacture (DFM) mindset, particularly around sheet metal fabrication and assemblies
Skills & Experience Required
* Proven experience as a Design Manager, Mechanical Design Manager, Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, or Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
* Strong background in mechanical design of machinery, capital equipment, or special purpose machinery
* Good understanding of sheet metal design, fabrication methods, and manufacturing processes
* Extensive experience using SolidWorks (PDM experience preferred)
* Knowledge of Machinery Directive, CE marking, UKCA marking, and machine safety standards
* Experience reviewing and approving designs produced by other engineers
* Ability to lead, mentor, and motivate engineering teams
* Strong communication skills and confidence working cross-functionally
* Practical, commercially aware mindset with a focus on buildability, safety, and delivery
Stepping-up candidates encouraged
Engineers currently operating as a Senior, Lead, or Principal Mechanical Design Engineer and already mentoring others or leading projects are strongly encouraged to apply.
What’s on Offer
* £50,000 – £55,000 salary (dependent on experience)
* 4.5-day working week
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays
* Stable and well-invested machinery manufacturing business
* Leadership role with genuine influence over design standards, systems, and team development
* Long-term progression as the company continues to expand
Location
This role is based in Blackburn, Lancashire, and would suit candidates looking for mechanical engineering jobs in the North West, including Blackburn, Preston, Burnley, Bolton, Chorley, North Manchester and surrounding areas.
Interested?
If you are a Design Manager or a Senior / Lead Mechanical Design Engineer looking to take ownership of a growing design function within a capital equipment manufacturing environment, this role offers both technical challenge and long-term opportunity.
Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion