Mechanical Engineering Manager

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Location: Bedford
Employment Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

Lead and develop a team of mechanical engineers responsible for designing and delivering robotic automation systems, special-purpose machinery, and bespoke manufacturing solutions. The role combines technical leadership, people management, project delivery, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the mechanical engineering team.
• Set engineering standards, processes, and best practices.
• Oversee the design of robotic cells, automation equipment, tooling, EOAT, fixtures, conveyors, and bespoke machinery.
• Review and approve designs, drawings, calculations, and technical documentation.
• Ensure designs meet customer, safety, quality, manufacturability, and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with Project Management, Controls, Electrical, Software, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Quality teams.
• Provide technical support throughout installation, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
• Manage engineering resources, workload, priorities, and project risks.
• Support technical proposals, quotations, feasibility studies, and customer design reviews.
• Drive innovation, standardisation, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant machinery and safety standards, including UKCA/CE, ISO 12100, ISO 10218, ISO 13849, and EN 60204.
• Support recruitment, budgeting, KPI development, and long-term engineering strategy.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 8–10+ years' mechanical engineering experience, including 3–5+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Experience in robotic automation, special-purpose machinery, or manufacturing automation.
• Advanced 3D CAD experience (SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, CATIA, or similar).
• Knowledge of pneumatics, actuators, servo systems, motion control, DFMA, FEA, and engineering calculations.
• Understanding of industrial robots and machine safety requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.

Salary: £65,000–£75,000 + potential bonus, pension, car allowance, flexible working, and professional development.