Project Design Manager – From £40,000+ DOE – Alconbury

Location: Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (PE28 4JH)
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
Salary: Starting from £40,000 per annum (negotiable DOE)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Job Summary

We are recruiting on behalf of a well-established engineering and manufacturing company based in Alconbury, seeking a driven and experienced Project Design Manager to lead and oversee their busy design department.

This is a fantastic opportunity to manage a talented design team while also contributing directly to product design. You’ll play a key role in managing design projects from concept through to production — with a strong focus on process efficiency, manufacturability, and stakeholder communication.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage the day-to-day activities of the Design team
Oversee design projects from concept to delivery, ensuring deadlines and standards (EN/BIFMA) are met
Drive innovation and continuous improvement in design and project execution
Provide hands-on support using SolidWorks for component and assembly design
Liaise closely with internal departments (Production, Tooling, Quality) and external clients
Conduct bi-weekly design meetings and regular internal project reviews
Support customer tooling development projects and attend tool trials as required
Mentor designers on best practices for tooling and manufacturing feasibility
Participate in technical reviews with customers and suppliers
Manage sample purchasing and act as the central point for project-related decisions
Conduct annual appraisals and performance reviews for Design Engineers
Ensure designs consider sustainability, circularity, and efficient production methods
Work across sites when required (base location: Alconbury)

What We're Looking For

Proven experience in a similar Project Design Manager or Senior Design Engineer role
Strong background in mechanical design, ideally within manufacturing or engineering
Proficient in SolidWorks (essential)
Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills
Understanding of design for manufacture and tooling requirements
Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholder relationships
Comfortable with hands-on design and mentoring team members

What’s On Offer

Starting salary from £40,000 per annum (negotiable depending on experience)
Long-term, permanent position with career growth opportunities
Join an innovative, forward-thinking team working on a wide variety of design projects
Work with major customers and contribute to impactful product development
Supportive and collaborative company culture
Free on-site parking

Apply Now

Ready to lead a skilled team and make a real impact in the design and engineering space?
Click Apply Now or contact us directly to find out more.

PET1