Head of Designing & Development

Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and innovative Head of Designing & Development to lead the organisation’s design, engineering, and product development functions. The role is responsible for overseeing conceptual design, product development, design optimisation, innovation initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective, and market-driven solutions.
The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of managing design teams, product development projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Development Leadership
Lead the end-to-end design and development process from concept to final implementation.
Develop and implement design strategies aligned with business objectives.
Drive innovation, product enhancement, and design optimisation initiatives.
Establish design standards, best practices, and engineering guidelines.
Ensure designs comply with customer specifications, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
Engineering & Product Development
Oversee conceptual, detailed, and manufacturing design activities.
Review technical drawings, layouts, calculations, and engineering documentation.
Lead product development projects, value engineering, and cost-reduction initiatives.
Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and engineering trends.
Support product customisation and new product introduction (NPI) programmes.
Project & Stakeholder Management
Collaborate with sales, production, procurement, quality, and project teams.
Participate in customer meetings for technical discussions and solution development.
Ensure timely completion of design deliverables and project milestones.
Manage design changes and technical approvals throughout project execution.
Team Management
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of designers, engineers, and development professionals.
Allocate resources and monitor team productivity.
Conduct performance reviews and identify training and development needs.
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Quality & Compliance
Ensure adherence to industry standards, quality requirements, and safety regulations.
Drive design validation, testing, and quality improvement processes.
Maintain proper engineering documentation and revision control systems.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related discipline.
Master’s Degree/MBA preferred.
10-15 years of experience in design, engineering, product development, or R&D.
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing design and development teams.
Proven experience in handling large-scale engineering or product development projects.
Preferred Skills
Expertise in CAD software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, Creo, Tekla, Revit, or equivalent.
Strong knowledge of engineering design principles and product lifecycle management.
Experience in value engineering, cost optimisation, and innovation management.
Project management and stakeholder management skills.
Knowledge of ERP, PLM, and document control systems.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and leadership abilities.
Strong communication and presentation skills.