Engineering Manager
3 days ago
Reading
Engineering Manager Are you a hands-on technical leader with a passion for precision and performance? An established precision engineering business, specialising in high-performance machined components and complex assemblies for highly regulated, safety-critical sectors, is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead its Design Engineering and Workshop functions. This is a senior leadership opportunity for a structured, solutions-driven professional who thrives in a quality-focused, compliance-led environment. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or already have proven experience managing engineering teams, this role offers the chance to make a tangible impact. About the Role As Engineering Manager, reporting directly to the Technical Director, you’ll take full responsibility for the Design Engineering and Workshop functions. Established systems are in place — your focus will be to strengthen, formalise, and optimise them, ensuring consistent, high-quality output, robust processes, and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities: • Lead, mentor, and develop teams in both Engineering and Workshop functions, promoting high performance, engagement, and collaboration, • Ensure Engineering and Workshop deliver accurate technical information and assemblies for on-time quotations and production, • Embed and maintain quality across all processes, minimising errors and customer complaints, • Identify, manage, and mitigate risks around product quality, delivery timelines, and workshop Health & Safety, • Act as the conduit between your teams and Directors, providing structured updates and actionable recommendations, • Collaborate with Account Management, Quality, and Operations to maintain efficient workflows, • Provide hands-on support during peak workload periods, demonstrating leadership as Operational & Development Focus • Define clear team structures, responsibilities, and expectations through regular 1-2-1s and performance reviews, • Develop and enhance written procedures to support compliance, training, and customer audits, • Plan workloads, cross-train teams, and ensure resources are allocated effectively, • Foster a positive, accountable team culture, particularly during high-demand periods, • Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Engineering and Workshop Engineering Oversight • CAD design and review, • Review customer assemblies and production readiness, • Provide technical feedback to Account Management, Quality, and customers, • Support product development and controlled design change processes, • BOM creation within MRP systems and workshop support (tooling, instructions, troubleshooting), • Conduct technical analysis, investigations, reporting, and maintain engineering-specific software/equipment Workshop Oversight • Hands-on understanding of fabrication and assembly, • Implement cross-training to maximise team flexibility, • Optimise job flow and production coordination, • Formalise and elevate Health & Safety systems (risk assessments, COSHH, training, audits, compliance), • Maintain a proactive safety and wellbeing culture, • Manage tooling, machinery maintenance, and workshop organisation, • Support development of new workshop processes Skills & Experience We’re Looking For • Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or similar), • Proven experience in design and production management within regulated, quality-focused environments, • Strong understanding of engineering design practices and manufacturing processes, • Practical appreciation of workshop Health & Safety compliance, • Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, • Strong time-management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure, • Proficiency in MS Office and ideally CAD This is your chance to step up as an Engineering Manager and take ownership of a talented technical team in a fast-paced, high-compliance environment. The business welcomes applicants who are ready for the next step in their career or those with proven management experience looking to make an immediate impact.