Drawing Office Manager

Join a market-leading British engineering manufacturer with over half a century of heritage in designing and producing bespoke automated machinery, conveying systems, and integrated processing lines for the global food sector. They combine end-to-end design with in-house fabrication, sheet metal processing, and final assembly.

We are looking for an experienced Drawing Office Manager (or an ambitious Senior/Lead Mechanical Design Engineer stepping into management) to take complete ownership of drawing office operations. Serving as the critical operational anchor between Senior Leadership, Project Managers, Production, and External Fabrication Partners, you will coordinate a team of 5 Mechanical Design Engineers and CAD Technicians. You will take ultimate accountability for technical accuracy, design schedules, manufacturing releases, and CAD data control.

Responsibilities, but are not limited to

• Lead, manage, and mentor a team of 5 design engineers and CAD Technicians, coordinating daily work allocations and tracking project progress from initial handover through to final delivery

• Act as the primary technical bridge between Senior Directors, Project Managers, Shop-Floor Fabrication, Assembly, and Subcontract Suppliers

• Provide critical engineering input and technical guidance across bespoke mechanical designs, ensuring structural integrity, manufacturability, and technical precision

• Manage design phase scheduling from technical handover through to production release, maintaining strict milestone delivery to align with manufacturing deadlines

• Direct departmental CAD workflows using SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM, maintaining strict revision control, BOM accuracy, and management of legacy AutoCAD data

• Oversee flat-packing and sheet metal nesting protocols using TruTops software to drive efficient, direct-to-machine output for TRUMPF laser cutters and press brakes

• Drive continuous improvement across drawing office workflows, modernising design templates, standardising component libraries, and streamlining ERP/BOM releases

Experiences required

• Proven track record managing a drawing office or a Senior / Lead Mechanical Design Engineer ready to step into departmental management

• Proficient in SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM (experience managing legacy 2D AutoCAD data is highly desirable)

• In-depth experience with stainless steel fabrication, sheet metal design, conveyors, product handling systems, or bespoke special-purpose machinery within the food industry would be highly advantageous

• Familiarity with sheet metal CAM/nesting software (e.g. TruTops) and direct-to-machine workflows

• Time-served engineering apprenticeship with ONC/HNC/HND, or a Degree (BEng/MEng) in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience)

• Full UK Driving Licence

Package: 

39 Hours P/W | Monday to Friday | 8:30am to 5pm | 28 Days Holiday Inc. Bank | Pension | Bonus | Healthcare | Social Events