Design Engineering Manager
Company Overview
We are a food processing manufacturing engineering company delivering high-quality, efficient, and innovative solutions to the food industry. As part of our growth, we are creating an in-house design department to improve control, efficiency, and innovation.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Design Engineering Manager to establish and lead our new in-house design function. This hands-on leadership role will transition design activities from subcontractors to internal capability, while continuing to manage external partners. You will lead design engineers, own all engineering drawings, and drive compliant, manufacturable design solutions for food processing equipment. The role reports to the Head of Production.
Key Responsibilities
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Build, lead, and develop an in-house design team
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Manage and coordinate external design subcontractors
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Own engineering drawings, document control, and compliance standards
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Define and implement efficient, hygienic design processes
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Oversee design projects from concept to manufacture
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Ensure compliance with food industry standards (FDA, HACCP, GMP, ISO)
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Manage budgets, resources, and continuous improvement initiatives
Requirements
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Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar
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8–10+ years’ design engineering experience, with 3+ years in management
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Experience building or scaling design teams and managing subcontracted work
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Strong CAD expertise (SolidWorks essential; PDM/PLM systems preferred)
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Knowledge of food processing equipment and hygienic design principles
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Strong leadership, project management, and communication skills
What We Offer
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Competitive salary and benefits
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Opportunity to build and shape a new department
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Innovative, collaborative manufacturing environment
If you’re a driven engineering leader with a passion for food manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you