Mechanical Engineering Manager

Mechanical Engineering Manager
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent

The Opportunity
Wolviston Management Services are delighted to be supporting our client, a well-established and growing specialist engineering and manufacturing organisation, in the recruitment of an experienced Mechanical Engineering Manager to join their expanding Engineering team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accomplished Mechanical Engineering professional to take on a key leadership position within an innovative business
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering complex engineering projects, leading new product introduction programmes and developing a high-performing Mechanical and Process Engineering team.

This is a particularly exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys remaining technically involved while taking responsibility for mentoring engineers, driving innovation and influencing engineering strategy.

The position offers a unique balance of hands-on technical engineering (70%) and team leadership and management (30%), providing the opportunity to lead projects from initial concept through to successful manufacture and delivery.

We are particularly interested in hearing from experienced Mechanical Engineering Managers, Principal Mechanical Engineers or Senior Mechanical Engineers with strong technical leadership capabilities and a background in precision engineering, advanced manufacturing or complex mechanical product development.
 
The Role
As Mechanical Engineering Manager, you will provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, cost and performance.

Working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Programme Management and Commercial teams, you will oversee mechanical engineering activities, support new product development and ensure designs are robust, manufacturable and aligned with customer requirements.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you will lead, mentor and develop the Mechanical and Process Engineering team, promoting engineering excellence, continuous improvement and collaboration across the business.
 
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Project Delivery (70%)

• Lead mechanical and process engineering activities across new product introduction (NPI) programmes, from initial concept through to manufacture.
• Act as the technical authority for mechanical design and manufacturing processes within the RF and microwave engineering division.
• Deliver innovative engineering solutions for complex RF and microwave assemblies and associated products.
• Ensure mechanical designs meet customer requirements, manufacturing capabilities, cost targets and project deadlines.
• Lead design reviews, design verification activities and technical risk assessments.
• Drive Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout product development.
• Work directly with customers to understand technical requirements and provide specialist engineering guidance.
• Support technical quotations, bids and commercial proposals.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain teams to resolve technical challenges and improve product performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance manufacturing efficiency, product quality and engineering processes.
• Ensure engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation are maintained to appropriate standards.
• Support compliance with AS9100 quality management requirements.

Team Leadership & Development (30%)

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Mechanical and Process Engineers.
• Promote a high-performance engineering culture focused on innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage engineering resources and workloads across multiple concurrent projects.
• Conduct performance reviews and support individual development and training plans.
• Identify future engineering capability requirements and contribute to recruitment and succession planning.
• Establish engineering best practices, technical standards and consistent working methods.
• Encourage effective collaboration between Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial and Programme Management teams.
• Ensure health, safety and quality standards are consistently maintained across engineering activities.

About You
We are looking for a technically strong, commercially aware and proactive engineering leader who combines extensive mechanical engineering experience with the ability to inspire and develop others.

You will be comfortable managing complex technical challenges, working directly with customers and taking ownership of engineering projects from concept through to manufacture.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in advanced manufacturing, precision engineering or complex mechanical assemblies, together with proven experience leading engineering teams.
 
Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status or actively working towards chartership.
• Minimum of 10 years' engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing engineering teams.
• Strong mechanical design and 3D CAD capabilities.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, casting, brazing, soldering, heat treatment and finishing.
• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems.
• Knowledge of AS9100 quality management systems.
• Experience working directly with customers on technical engineering projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and technical decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication, technical reporting and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering projects, priorities and deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness and a customer-focused approach.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within Aerospace, Defence, Space engineering environments.
• Experience delivering new product introduction programmes from concept through to production.
• Knowledge of RF and microwave products, assemblies and associated technologies.
• Experience using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
• Previous project management experience.
• Experience working within an AS9100-accredited manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• A recognised engineering apprenticeship alongside academic qualifications.

What's on Offer?
Our client offers an outstanding opportunity to join a growing and innovative engineering business, providing the chance to influence technical strategy, lead challenging projects and develop a talented engineering team.

Benefits include:

• Permanent employment within an established and expanding engineering organisation.
• Monday to Friday working pattern.
• Company pension scheme.
• Enhanced holiday entitlement.
• Company sickness benefits.
• Death in service benefit.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Free onsite parking.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Relocation package available for the right candidate.
• Opportunities for professional development and long-term career progression