Drawing Office Manager

Drawing Office Manager Location: Essex Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + Benefits Job Type: Permanent The Opportunity An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Drawing Office Manager to join a leading engineering business specialising in bespoke automation and capital equipment. This is a key leadership role responsible for managing the Design Office, ensuring high-quality engineering output, driving continuous improvement, and supporting the successful delivery of customer projects. You'll lead a team of Design Engineers while remaining technically involved in complex mechanical design activities. Key Responsibilities * Lead and manage the Drawing Office, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to the highest quality standards. * Allocate design resources across multiple engineering projects based on workload and priorities. * Monitor project progress, capacity and delivery schedules, identifying and mitigating potential risks. * Conduct design reviews and provide technical guidance to Design Engineers. * Support complex mechanical design activities during peak workloads. * Develop and maintain engineering design standards, best practices and component libraries. * Manage Autodesk Vault data and ensure drawing and BOM integrity. * Ensure engineering documentation is accurate, controlled and compliant throughout the project lifecycle. * Work closely with Project Managers, Production and Procurement to ensure successful project delivery. * Support early procurement activities for long-lead components. * Provide technical input for customer enquiries and new project quotations. * Mentor, develop and carry out performance reviews for Design Engineers. * Drive continuous improvement across design processes and departmental performance. About You * Previous experience leading a Design Office or Mechanical Design team. * Strong mechanical design background within automation, capital equipment or special purpose machinery. * Proficient in Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD and Autodesk Vault (SolidWorks experience also considered). * Strong understanding of BS8888 drafting standards. * Experience with machining, fabrication and sheet metal design. * Knowledge of engineer-to-order manufacturing and long-duration projects. * Experience managing BOMs and CAD data linked to ERP systems. * Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills. * Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving. Desirable Skills * Experience with conveyor systems, airflow or ductwork design. * Knowledge of ATEX and machinery safety standards. * Membership of a recognised engineering institution. What's on Offer * £55,000 - £65,000 basic salary. * Permanent position with a growing engineering business. * Opportunity to lead a highly skilled design team on technically challenging projects. * Long-term career progression and professional development. * Comprehensive benefits package