Head of Design Engineering

Head of Design Engineering (Design Operations and Product Engineering)

Location: Thatcham, Berkshire (with travel to Hertfordshire and Glasgow as required)

Hybrid available after a three-month onboarding and probationary period

Full-time | Permanent | Competitive Salary and Benefits

About the Role

Externiture is looking for a disciplined, hands-on Head of Design Engineering to lead our design function across the business. This is a senior operational and technical leadership role, overseeing product design, portfolio planning, and the integration between CAD, PDM, and MRP systems.

You will combine design excellence with engineering discipline—driving delivery, maintaining standards, and leading a skilled team of designers to produce accurate, manufacturable drawings on time. Your leadership will enable lean, efficient, and scalable manufacturing for our range of public transport infrastructure products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Design Engineering team (Senior and Junior Designers).
• Manage design scheduling, capacity planning, and performance tracking.
• Administer and enforce SolidWorks PDM discipline and CAD to MRP integration (123 Insight or equivalent).
• Drive DFMA and VAVE initiatives to simplify designs, standardise components, and reduce costs.
• Ensure on-time, first-time-right design releases.
• Develop and maintain design standards, drawing practices, and sign-off gates.
• Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to ensure repeatable, high-quality production.
• Promote a lean, accountable, and continuous improvement culture within the design office.

About You

You are an experienced design and engineering leader with a strong focus on manufacturability and data-driven design. You thrive in an environment that values structure, delivery, and continuous improvement.

Essential Experience

• At least eight years in product or industrial design for metal, fabrication, or construction-based products.
• Proven experience managing design portfolios with clear schedules and delivery metrics.
• Expert SolidWorks user with advanced PDM administration skills.
• MRP or ERP integration experience (ideally 123 Insight).
• Proven success in DFMA and cost reduction initiatives.
• Strong governance across BOM discipline, ECN/ECO, tolerance analysis, and drawing standards.
• Good understanding of manufacturing methods including extrusions, sheet metal, welded fabrications, and jigs/fixtures.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, and team development skills.
• Full UK driving licence and right to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Experience within street furniture, transport infrastructure, or construction product design.
• Familiarity with BS EN 1090, UKCA marking, and architectural coatings.
• Awareness of electrical integration (lighting, solar, RTI).
• Lean Six Sigma or experience leading DFMA/VAVE workshops.
• Experience with 123 Insight, SolidWorks Simulation, or low-code PLM integration.

About Externiture

Externiture is a leading UK designer, manufacturer, and installer of public transport infrastructure, including bus and cycle shelters, signage, and associated software systems.

Operating nationally from our bases in Thatcham, Glasgow and Hertfordshire, we have achieved over 200% growth in the past three years through continuous improvement and innovation. We are a People Process and Armed Forces Covenant employer, with an ongoing commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
• Company pension and life assurance
• Private medical and wellbeing support
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Qualification-linked pay progression

If you are ready to lead a design team that delivers meaningful impact, apply now and help shape the next generation of public transport infrastructure with Externiture.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £65,000.00-£75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Thatcham RG19 4ZD: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• product or industrial design for metal products: 8 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Location:

• Thatcham RG19 4ZD (preferred)

Work Location: In person