As a Head Designer for SignSite Group, you will lead the design and engineering function for our signage manufacturing operations. You will bridge the gap between concept and fabrication — overseeing translation of client ideas into technically sound, manufacturable signage solutions that look fantastic and perform flawlessly. You’ll work across all phases: concept sketches, detailed shop drawings, engineering, production file-prep (CNC/print/assembly), and installation readiness. Your leadership will ensure the design team, production and installation teams are aligned, consistent, efficient and future-facing.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead, mentor and manage the design team (CAD/draughts, artwork preparation, fabrication integration).

- Engage early with Sales and Client Services to interpret client briefs, identify design requirements, constraints and opportunities (visual, structural, installation).

- Develop and oversee creative design concepts (visualisation) and detailed engineering drawings (shop drawings, installation drawings) for signs, architectural signage, wayfinding systems, illuminated systems, large-scale formwork and assemblies.

- Ensure all design outputs are manufacturable: robust material selection, fabrication method alignment (CNC routing, laser cutting, large-format printing, laminating, assembly), cost‑effective, meets structural and installation standards.

- Prepare production‑ready files: CAD drawings (AutoCAD or equivalent), vector artwork (CorelDraw / Adobe Illustrator etc), CNC/CAM toolpaths (e.g., EnRoute or equivalent), print file setup (bleed, cropping, nesting, scaling).

- Review and approve design documentation: engineering drawings, bill of materials, fabrication instructions, installation instructions.

- Work with Operations/Production to integrate design into manufacturing workflows, optimise yield (material usage, fabrication efficiency), minimise errors and rework.

- Monitor compliance with relevant building / installation codes, structural adequacy, safety, illumination/LED systems (where applicable).

- Engage in continuous improvement: research new materials, fabrication methods, signage tech (LED/neon/illuminated systems), sustainable practices; embed into the design team’s methodology.

- Manage multiple concurrent projects, prioritise workload, ensure design milestones are met so production and installation schedules stay on track.

- Collaborate with installation/onsite teams to ensure design intent is realised in the field; respond to site survey changes/installation constraints.

- Drive a culture of high design quality, accuracy,



attention to detail, and excellent client service.

Qualifications & Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

- Advanced training or certification in CAD/CAM, engineering drawing, design for manufacture (DFM) preferred.

- Proven experience (ideally 5+ years) in signage manufacturing, architectural fabrication, industrial design or similar fields — including managing design teams in a production environment.

- Comprehensive understanding of materials, fabrication techniques, manufacturing workflows, and structural/installation considerations (relevant to signage, architectural fit-out, wayfinding systems).

Technical Skills & Knowledge

Design Software Proficiency:

- Highly skilled in AutoCAD (detailed drawings/shop drawings)

- Proficient in CorelDraw and Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for visuals, artwork preparation and production file setup

- Competent in CAM/CNC file preparation software (e.g., EnRoute or equivalent), toolpath preparation for router/laser cutting

Engineering & Construction Knowledge:

- Ability to produce detailed technical drawings, interpret structural/installation requirements for signage systems and assemblies

- Deep understanding of material behaviour, load‑bearing/installation constraints, signage illumination systems (LED, neon, edge‑lit), environmental/weathering factors

Production & Manufacturing Integration:

- Experience preparing files for CNC routers, laser cutters, large-format printers; skilled in artwork splitting, crop marks, bleed, nesting, layout optimisation for printing/fabrication

- Strong understanding of production workflows (routing, printing, laminating, trimming, assembly, installation) and ability to design for manufacturability and ease of installation

Experience Requirements

- Minimum 5+ years in signage manufacturing, architectural fabrication, industrial design or a related area with demonstrable progression

- Proven track record of managing a design team in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven manufacturing environment





- Demonstrated experience bringing projects from concept through to installation‑ready design documentation

- Strong understanding and application of design‑for‑manufacture principles (DFM), and of end‑to‑end production processes

Leadership & Soft Skills

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: able to engage with sales, production, installation teams, clients and stakeholders

- Strong leadership capability: able to direct, mentor and develop junior designers, foster collaboration, provide clear instruction, review and feedback

- Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy and commitment to high design standards

- Strong project management and prioritisation skills: able to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, lead under pressure

- Creative flair coupled with engineering precision: the successful candidate will be both visually creative and technically grounded

- Proactive, solutions‑oriented, collaborative, self‑motivated

Desirable Extras

- Experience with signage illumination systems (LED, neon, edge lighting)

- Exposure to wayfinding, architectural signage, environmental graphics

- Knowledge of sustainable materials and environmentally conscious design practices

- Understanding of site survey data, installation constraints, on‑site coordination and logistics

What We Offer

- A senior leadership role in a growing signage manufacturing business with solid design & fabrication capability

- Opportunity to shape design processes, influence direction of the design team, and embed best‑practice design‑for‑manufacture logic

- Collaborative working environment aligned with high‑quality outputs, innovation and customer satisfaction

- Competitive remuneration package (base salary + incentive), plus role‑appropriate benefits

- Career growth opportunities within SignSite Group as we expand services and design capability

Ideal Candidate Attributes

- You’re excited about marrying design aesthetics with heavy fabrication, and you get a kick out of seeing an idea move through to finished, installed reality.

- Hands‑on: you’re not content just to delegate — you dive into drawings, production files, design review, problem‑solving.

- You’re a strong communicator, able to speak the language of sales/clients, design team members, production engineers and installers.

- You set the bar high: you demand quality, you expect precision. You also coach others to get there.

- You’re forward‑thinking: always looking for new materials, more efficient workflows, ways to reduce cost without sacrificing quality or visual impact.

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📌 Construction Designer - Construction & Industrial Signage (Eton)
🏢 Site Group Investments
📍 Eton