Senior Mechanical Design Engineering Supervisor – Special Purpose Machinery

ETR are supporting an established machine Builder company based in Ireland :

Senior Mechanical Design Engineering Supervisor – Special Purpose Machinery

A leading engineering solutions provider is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineering Supervisor to support the expansion of its automation systems and machine-building operations. This is a permanent position ideal for a mechanical design professional with 8+ years of experience in the special purpose automation and machinery sector.

Role Overview

We are looking for a hands-on and strategic leader to oversee our mechanical design function, driving the delivery of complex machine build projects in the fields of automation, filling, and packaging. The ideal candidate will come from a machine build environment and have a strong background in delivering bespoke, high-precision systems from concept through to installation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Design Department including R&D, concept development, and mechanical innovation.

• Develop and manage robust systems to meet user, regulatory, and legislative design standards.

• Identify and mitigate design-related risks throughout the project lifecycle.

• Champion productivity and performance through effective project and people management.

• Ensure consistent quality and oversee implementation of corrective design actions.

• Prioritise and plan workload across the department using structured workflows and project methodologies.

• Chair regular design reviews and lead the SCRUM team alongside assigned deputies.

• Monitor and report on project status, resource planning, and risk assessments.

• Maintain compliance with safety and CE marking requirements through robust documentation and process reviews.

• Provide technical and pricing support to Sales and Marketing teams.

• Drive continuous improvement within the design department.

• Stay up to date with developments in automation and mechanical design technologies.

• Lead multidisciplinary reviews to ensure functionality, serviceability, and safety.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in mechanical design engineering, with a strong focus on special purpose machinery and automation systems.

• Proven background in machine build environments with involvement from concept to commissioning.

• Strong leadership skills with a collaborative, professional, and structured approach.

• Experience with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).

• Ability to design mechanical systems and mechanisms for long-life, high-performance automation.

• Good understanding of CE marking, GMP principles, safety integration, and design documentation.

• Capable of managing internal and external design reviews with technical and commercial acumen.

• Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Key Technical Skills

• 3D CAD Modelling (SolidWorks preferred)

• Mechanical system sizing and motion control fundamentals

• Innovative mechanical concept development

• Safety and risk assessment (CE and GMP)

• Product Data Management (PDM) systems

• Time and task prioritisation

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: €55,000 – €85,000 depending on experience

• Company pension

• On-site parking

• Company events

• Flexible working hours (8-hour shift, flexitime)