Design Engineering Manager
Universal Business Team · Wetherby, England, United Kingdom · On-site
Pay: GBP 55,000 – 65,000 a year
Posted Sep 25, 2026
Sign up free: we match you to jobs like this, tailor your application and fill the form. 2 free applications every day.
Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum (negotiable DOE) + car or car allowance + Bonus Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday (flexible start/finish times) Location: Wetherby (office‑based), with 1–2 days per week on site nationwide Holidays: 25 days + 8 bank holidays + birthday off Benefits:
Car or car allowance
Bonus opportunity
Free on‑site parking
Auto‑enrolment pension
Flexible working hours
Informal rewards (team lunches and recognition for project wins)
The Opportunity
We are recruiting on behalf of a growing, highly respected specialist design‑and‑delivery business operating within complex care, healthcare and specialist environments. Following significant project growth and the expansion of an in‑house BIM/CAD function, the business is now seeking an experienced Design Engineering Manager to take ownership of design governance, team leadership and process maturity - ensuring high‑quality, coordinated design outputs across a high‑volume, multi‑project environment .
This is a pivotal role, reporting into the Operations Director, with real influence over quality, systems, people and future innovation.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will lead and coordinate all design activity across a diverse portfolio of projects ranging in value from £5k to £1m , focused on specialist equipment, hoisting systems, hydrotherapy and integrated environments.
You will provide structure, accountability and technical assurance to an in‑house team of designers, while acting as a key interface between sales, project delivery and clients .
Key responsibilities include:
Leading and managing the in‑house design team, setting clear expectations for quality, performance and delivery
Establishing and embedding robust design management procedures, standards and governance
Ensuring design compliance with statutory regulations, industry standards and best practice
Overseeing design resource planning, workloads, deliverables and information release schedules
Implementing quality checks, KPIs and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement
Supporting commercial decision‑making, value engineering and cost control through the design process
Managing design change control to minimise cost and programme impact
Acting as a client‑facing technical authority on complex and flagship projects
Working closely with Project Managers to ensure seamless transition from design to delivery
Exploring opportunities for AI, automation and potential offshoring within the design function
About You
This role will suit a Design Manager who combines technical credibility with strong people leadership and thrives in a fast‑moving environment where multiple projects run simultaneously.
You will ideally bring:
Proven experience managing and leading a design team within construction, fit‑out or specialist environments
Strong understanding of design governance, coordination and assurance
Confidence reviewing, challenging and coordinating work produced in…