Design Manager

Main Responsibilities of a Design Manager

• Leading and supporting the design engineering team
• Planning design workloads across live projects
• Reviewing drawings, CAD models and technical documentation
• Supporting concept design and design-for-manufacture decisions
• Managing design changes during build, test and commissioning
• Improving design and engineering processes
• Supporting customer meetings and technical reviews
• Coordinating with production, controls, projects and purchasing teams
• Reducing engineering errors, rework and project delays
• Mentoring junior and developing engineers
• Helping align design output with commercial and delivery targets

Technical Skills and Engineering Knowledge

• Mechanical design principles
• Electrical design awareness, depending on discipline
• 3D CAD and drawing review, DFMA
• Fabrication, sheet metal and machining knowledge
• Tolerancing and GD&T
• BOMs and engineering documentation
• Practical build and commissioning support
• Supplier and component selection
• Engineering change control

Important leadership qualities include:

• Clear communication
• Right decision-making under pressure
• Ability to prioritise engineering workloads
• Commercial awareness
• Ability to manage different personalities, Collaboration with non-design departments
• Confidence reviewing and challenging technical work
• Accountability for team performance
• Willingness to improve processes and standards