Senior Design Engineer

Hays Engineering is seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join an established and innovative manufacturing business specialising in custom-designed components and assemblies. This is a key technical role within a growing engineering team, offering the opportunity to lead product development projects from concept through to production, while driving continuous improvement and high-quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design and development of bespoke components, assemblies, and tooling solutions.
• Translate customer requirements into robust engineering concepts, CAD models, and detailed manufacturing drawings.
• Oversee prototyping activities, design validation, and testing processes.
• Provide technical leadership to junior engineers and support cross-functional collaboration with production, quality, and commercial teams.
• Optimise designs for performance, manufacturability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
• Drive design reviews, manage engineering change processes, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Liaise directly with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of design standards, best practices, and innovation initiatives across the business.

Required Skills & Experience

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in a design engineering role within manufacturing. Experience with plastics, thermoforming, or polymer-based products is highly desirable.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, or similar).
• Proven track record of taking products from concept to production.
• Excellent understanding of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to lead technical decision-making.
• Effective communicator with experience working directly with customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience in vacuum forming, CNC machining, or polymer manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of quality standards (ISO 9001) and design for manufacture/assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Familiarity with FEA or simulation tools.

What's on Offer

• A senior-level role with the opportunity to influence design strategy and innovation.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Career development within a stable, growing, and technology-focused business.
• The chance to work on diverse, challenging, and bespoke engineering projects.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. #4763774 - Michael

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in a design engineering role within manufacturing. Experience with plastics, thermoforming, or polymer-based products is highly desirable.
• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, or similar).
• Proven track record of taking products from concept to production.
• Excellent understanding of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to lead technical decision-making.
• Effective communicator with experience working directly with customers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable

• Experience in vacuum forming, CNC machining, or polymer manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of quality standards (ISO 9001) and design for manufacture/assembly (DFM/DFA).
• Familiarity with FEA or simulation tools.

• A senior-level role with the opportunity to influence design strategy and innovation.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Career development within a stable, growing, and technology-focused business.
• The chance to work on diverse, challenging, and bespoke engineering projects.