Drawing Office Manager
22 days ago
Laindon
Drawing Office Manager Location: Essex Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + Benefits Job Type: Permanent The Opportunity An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Drawing Office Manager to join a leading engineering business specialising in bespoke automation and capital equipment. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing the Design Office, ensuring high-quality engineering output, driving continuous improvement, and supporting the successful delivery of customer projects. You'll lead a team of Design Engineers while remaining technically involved in complex mechanical design activities. Key Responsibilities • Lead and manage the Drawing Office, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards., • Allocate design resources across multiple engineering projects based on workload and priorities., • Monitor project progress, capacity and delivery schedules, identifying and mitigating potential risks., • Conduct design reviews and provide technical guidance to Design Engineers., • Support complex mechanical design activities during peak workloads., • Develop and maintain engineering design standards, best practices and component libraries., • Manage Autodesk Vault data and ensure drawing and BOM integrity., • Ensure engineering documentation is accurate, controlled and compliant throughout the project lifecycle., • Work closely with Project Managers, Production and Procurement to ensure successful project delivery., • Support early procurement activities for long-lead components., • Provide technical input for customer enquiries and new project quotations., • Mentor, develop and carry out performance reviews for Design Engineers., • Drive continuous improvement across design processes and departmental performance. About You • Previous experience leading a Design Office or Mechanical Design team., • Strong mechanical design background within automation, capital equipment or special purpose machinery., • Proficient in Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD and Autodesk Vault (SolidWorks experience also considered)., • Strong understanding of BS8888 drafting standards., • Experience with machining, fabrication and sheet metal design., • Knowledge of engineer-to-order manufacturing and long-duration projects., • Experience managing BOMs and CAD data linked to ERP systems., • Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills., • Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving. Desirable Skills • Experience with conveyor systems, airflow or ductwork design., • Knowledge of ATEX and machinery safety standards., • Membership of a recognised engineering institution. What's on Offer • £55,000 - £65,000 basic salary., • Permanent position with a growing engineering business., • Opportunity to lead a highly skilled design team on technically challenging projects., • Long-term career progression and professional development., • Comprehensive benefits package