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