Design Manager – Manufacturing & Engineering
An exciting opportunity has become available for an experienced Design Manager to join our client, a well-established and growing Australian manufacturing business.
With significant new contracts secured and a strong pipeline of upcoming projects, our client is expanding their Drafting and Design team and is looking for someone who can take ownership of the design function while remaining hands-on across technical design, drafting and project delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys seeing a project progress from initial concept and design right through to manufacturing and implementation.
The Role
As Design Manager, you will work closely with customers, production teams, suppliers, tradespeople and other key stakeholders to ensure projects are designed accurately, practically and efficiently.
Your responsibilities will include:
Designing and developing a variety of mechanical and electrical projects
Concept and new product development
Creating detailed 3D models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks
Managing projects from initial concept through to implementation
Working closely with production teams to ensure designs are practical and achievable
Liaising with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders
Managing and maintaining drafting libraries and drawing documentation
Developing and maintaining work instructions and drawing office procedures
Ensuring drawings and documentation meet required quality standards
Working within an ISO **** Quality Management System
Supporting continuous improvement across design, drafting and manufacturing processes
Providing guidance and leadership within the design and drafting function
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who brings strong technical capability combined with the confidence to manage projects and communicate effectively across a manufacturing environment.
Ideally, you will have:
Strong experience in mechanical design,



drafting or engineering
Advanced proficiency using SolidWorks
Experience producing 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings
Previous experience within a manufacturing, fabrication or engineering environment
Experience taking projects from concept through to production
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and practical design principles
Excellent attention to detail
Strong project management and organisational skills
The ability to communicate confidently with customers, suppliers, trades and production teams
Leadership or Design Manager experience highly regarded
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This isn't a role where your designs simply stay on a screen. You'll see your work move through the workshop and become real, finished products.
Our client offers:
Interesting, meaningful projects -Work across specialised builds, including emergency response vehicles, defence-related projects and custom manufacturing solutions.
Growing business – New contracts and continued growth are creating genuine long-term opportunities.
Career development – The business actively supports training, development and progression.
Collaborative setting – Work alongside experienced tradespeople, engineers, designers and production teams.
Strong team culture – Join a business where people know each other, work together and genuinely value individual contribution.
Quality & safety focus – Work within an organisation that takes safety, quality and workmanship seriously.
Interested?
If you're an experienced Design Manager, Senior Mechanical Designer, Draftsperson or Design Engineer with strong SolidWorks capability and you're ready for a role where you can have genuine input into projects from concept through to completion, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today for a confidential discussion.
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📌 Design Manager (Hervey Bay)
🏢 Lightning HR
📍 Hervey Bay