Location: Sandbach, Cheshire
Department: Product Design
Hours: Full-time | Monday–Friday | 8:30am – 5:00pm
About Somerford Equipment
Somerford Equipment is a leading UK manufacturer of specialist road-marking vehicles and equipment, supplying innovative solutions to the construction and highways industry. We pride ourselves on designing and building high-quality, customer-focused products that combine engineering excellence with practical innovation.
About the Role
As our Design & Innovation Lead, you'll be the technical driving force behind new product development and engineering excellence. Working closely with our Managing Director, Manufacturing, Technical Sales and Operations teams, you'll transform customer requirements into practical, manufacturable solutions.
Requirements
- Lead the design and development of innovative specialist vehicles, products and engineering solutions.
- Manage projects from initial concept through design, prototyping and production.
- Produce and oversee high-quality 2D and 3D CAD models, technical drawings and engineering documentation.
- Chair regular cross-functional design and manufacturing review meetings.
- Work closely with workshop and manufacturing teams to solve engineering challenges and continuously improve existing products.
- Develop and maintain engineering standards, drawing control and documentation systems.
- Ensure all designs comply with relevant legislation, engineering standards and company procedures.
- Identify new technologies, materials and manufacturing techniques that improve our products and processes.
- Provide technical leadership and mentor the wider design function.
Qualifications
- A qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Product Design or a related discipline.
- Strong experience using 2D and 3D CAD software (AutoCAD, DraftSight, SolidWorks or similar).
- Excellent understanding of mechanical design and manufacturing processes.
- Experience designing products for manufacture and assembly.
- Strong project management and organisational skills.
- The ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
- Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work across multiple departments.
- A proactive mindset with a passion for innovation and problem-solving.
- Experience within vehicle, automotive, commercial vehicle, fabrication or specialist equipment manufacturing would be an advantage but is not essential.
Benefits
- Long service rewards
- Private medical insurance
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Christmas shutdown
- Health and Wellbeing Support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Perkbox employee discounts
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- A supportive, team-focused working environment
Work Location: In person
