Are you a technically minded designer who enjoys turning ideas into clear, accurate and buildable designs? Do you take pride in producing detailed drawings, solving practical design challenges and working closely with different teams to help creative projects move from concept through to manufacture and installation?
We're looking for a Technical Designer to join our team and support the design and delivery of bespoke playground and outdoor projects.
You'll be responsible for taking creative concepts and developing the technical detail needed to manufacture and install them successfully. We're particularly interested in candidates with experience in design-for-manufacture, construction, timber, joinery, fabrication or other bespoke project environments.
About Us
At Precision Timber, we are a family-run company specialising in designing, manufacturing and installing natural playgrounds, sustainable outdoor equipment and landscaping solutions.
We work across a range of settings, from schools and nurseries to parks, visitor attractions and community spaces.
We're passionate about crafting outdoor spaces that encourage children to explore, be creative and flourish, because every child deserves the chance to play.
The Role
As Technical Designer, you'll play a key role in turning creative concepts into accurate, practical and manufacture-ready designs.
Working closely with our Design, Workshop, Site, Sales and Project teams, you'll develop detailed technical drawings and design information that enable projects to move efficiently from concept through manufacture and installation.
This role is suited to someone who understands not only how to draw something, but how it will actually be made, assembled, installed and maintained.
You'll be expected to work through construction details, dimensions, materials, fixings and practical buildability, identifying potential problems before they reach the workshop or site.
A background working with timber would be highly beneficial, although we are equally interested in candidates from other relevant design-for-manufacture, construction or fabrication environments who can demonstrate strong technical capability.
Our main design software includes SketchUp and SolidWorks, so strong experience in one or both of these packages would be highly beneficial.
Some projects may require additional technical information as part of structural planning or approval processes. You'll support the preparation of drawings and technical information for these projects, liaising with external specialists such as structural engineers where necessary and accurately incorporating their requirements into design revisions.
No two days are the same. One day you may be developing detailed drawings for a bespoke playground structure, and the next reviewing a manufacturing query, refining a fixing detail or working with our project and site teams to resolve a practical design challenge.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce accurate technical drawings and design information for bespoke playground and outdoor projects
- Develop designs from initial concepts through to detailed, manufacture and installation-ready information
- Produce appropriate dimensioned drawings, plans, elevations, sections, assembly information and construction details
- Use SketchUp and SolidWorks to develop accurate technical designs
- Consider materials, fixings, tolerances, manufacturing methods, installation requirements and buildability throughout the design process
- Interpret briefs, specifications, measurements and concept designs and translate them into clear technical documentation
- Work closely with the Design, Workshop, Site, Sales and Project teams to ensure designs are practical, buildable and aligned with project requirements
- Identify potential technical or manufacturing issues before designs are released for production
- Support the development of bespoke components, structures and construction details
- Prepare and update drawings and technical information for projects requiring structural input or approval
- Liaise with external specialists, including structural engineers where required, and incorporate technical feedback accurately into drawings and revisions
- Review drawings and technical information to ensure accuracy, consistency and quality
- Respond to workshop and site queries and help resolve technical issues efficiently
- Make controlled design amendments as projects develop
- Maintain organised drawing records, revisions and project documentation
- Contribute practical ideas that improve manufacturing efficiency, buildability, quality and overall project outcomes
Skills & Experience Required
- Previous experience within technical design, CAD, design-for-manufacture or a closely related role
- Strong technical drawing skills with excellent attention to detail
- Experience using CAD or 3D design software to produce accurate technical information
- Strong experience using SketchUp and/or SolidWorks
- Ability to interpret concepts and develop practical solutions suitable for manufacture and installation
- Good understanding of materials, construction methods and how designs translate into manufactured products or built environments
- Strong spatial awareness and practical problem-solving ability
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, revisions and deadlines
- Good communication skills and confidence working with different departments across a business
- Comfortable working on bespoke projects where requirements may evolve as technical details are developed
- A professional, reliable and team-focused approach
Preferred
- Experience using both SketchUp and SolidWorks
- Experience working on timber, joinery or timber construction projects
- Experience within playground equipment, outdoor structures, street furniture, landscaping products or similar bespoke products
- Experience within manufacturing, construction, fabrication, joinery or another design-for-build environment
- Experience producing drawings specifically for workshop manufacture and on-site installation
- Experience coordinating technical information with structural engineers or other external specialists
- Experience working from initial concept through detailed technical design and manufacture
- Knowledge of relevant playground standards, including BS EN 1176, although training can be provided
- Experience producing bills of materials, cutting lists or manufacturing information
Why Join Us?
- No two days are the same
- Work on creative, bespoke projects rather than repetitive standard designs
- Play a key role in turning imaginative ideas into real, finished installations
- See projects progress from concept through our own workshop and onto site
- Work closely with our Design, Workshop, Site, Sales and Project teams
- Ongoing training and progression opportunities
- A supportive and down-to-earth team that enjoys working together
- Join a family-run business that values creativity, quality, teamwork and pride in the job
What We Offer
- Salary: £32,000 to £38,000 per annum, depending on experience
- Full-time, permanent role
- Monday to Friday
- Based at our Rotherham premises
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
- Company uniform
- Supportive and collaborative working environment
- Opportunities to work on exciting and innovative projects
- Pension scheme
- Buy Back Holiday Scheme
- Immediate start available for the right candidate
We're proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
If you're a technically strong designer looking for a role where you can turn creative ideas into practical, buildable projects and work closely with the teams manufacturing and installing them, we'd love to hear from you.
Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide examples of relevant technical drawings or previous project work.
Pay: £32,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Are you able to work full-time from our Rotherham premises?
- Have you worked within manufacturing, construction, fabrication, design-for-build or another similar project-led environment?
- Please outline any experience you have working with timber, outdoor structures, playground equipment or projects involving structural engineering input.
- How would you describe your experience with SketchUp and SolidWorks?
Work Location: In person
