Technical Design Manager

What makes Neg Earth different and what we can offer you

Founded in 1983 by Dave & Pip Ridgway, Neg Earth Lights is a family-owned lighting and rigging equipment supplier for the entertainment industry. We are based at our purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities in Park Royal, London. Every day is different and brings new and exciting challenges. We have a commitment to a sustainable live events and touring industry, one that sparks real emotions and long-lasting memories whilst creating a sense of belonging for our team.

With over 40 years' experience of investing in the latest equipment, in our people, and in our relationships, we encourage ingenuity, creativity, and the exploration of new ways to collaborate.

From concept to delivery, our team wear our reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability as a badge of honour. We seek to invest in the latest and best equipment and ensure everything, from flight cases to truss is maintained to the highest standard. We are forward thinking and flexible, making the complex, simple and the simple, exceptional. No matter the size or scale of the project we take pride in our consistency and customer focused approach.

For us, your training and development takes centre stage, from your first day to your last we will encourage and support you throughout your career development. Our NELL Academy training programmes support your wellbeing and ensure you have the skills and knowledge to excel in your role. Our Leadership Programmes enable our managers to help you succeed and our competencies guide your development and realise your full potential. We create an inspirational environment rewarding employees for their hard work.

With us, everything is possible, and we strive to ensure every member of our team can take pride in their delivery of projects and promoting creative solutions.

About You & the Role:

The Technical Design Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of two small but dynamic teams, consisting of one workshop team of fabricators and maintenance staff and one CAD team of 2 people. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance supervision, scheduling, resource management, and technical expertise, ensuring projects are completed efficiently, safely, and to a high standard. They will be seen as a partner to many other departments in the business and manage collaboration for their team. They will play a key part in cross-differential collaboration and be responsible for making suggestions to improve processes where possible.

Your Duties:

You’ll play an essential part in your team and company success story by efficiently and effectively carrying out duties including:

Team Management & Supervision

• Lead, motivate, and support your team.
• Allocate tasks, monitor workloads, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Act as a liaison between the CAD/Workshop departments and other areas of the business, including the Project Office, ensuring efficient and effective ways of working and streamlining communications.
• Be the primary point of contact for the Procurement team and manage all ordering for your area of responsibility.

Workshop Operations

• Plan, schedule, and oversee fabrication, repair, and maintenance work.
• Ensure optimal use of workshop resources, tools, and materials.
• Maintain accurate records of work completed, inventory, and job progress.

CAD Team

• Ensure drawings and models are accurate, timely, and aligned with project requirements.
• Allocate design tasks, review progress, and provide technical guidance.
• Encourage collaboration between design staff, fabricators, and maintenance team members.
• Act as the link between design and workshop teams, ensuring seamless translation of CAD drawings into fabrication and maintenance tasks.
• Review and approve drawings prior to release for fabrication/production.
• Ensure designs are practical, cost-effective, and manufacturable within workshop capabilities.
• Maintain and check drawing standards, version control, and document management.
• Conduct regular design reviews to ensure compliance with specifications, industry standards, and customer requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve design efficiency and accuracy.
• Support the integration of new CAD tools, processes, and design methodologies.
• Encourage knowledge sharing between CAD and workshop staff to enhance problem-solving and innovation.

Fabrication & Maintenance Oversight

• Effectively collaborate to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of fabrication according to drawings.
• Oversee the fabrication of parts, assemblies, and structures to specifications.
• Coordinate maintenance activities for equipment, machinery, and facilities.
• Conduct quality control checks to maintain high standards.

Compliance

• Ensure safe working practices are followed at all times.
• Carry out risk assessments and enforce health & safety policies.
• Ensure compliance with company standards and relevant regulations.
• Review all internal and cross departmental processes within your area of responsibility to ensure effective ways of working and look for ways to continuously improve.

Administration & Reporting

• Manage stock levels, order materials, and control workshop costs.
• Prepare progress updates, maintenance logs, and project reports.
• Liaise with other departments and external contractors as required.
• Manage stock requirements

Companywide Responsibilities:

• Ensure a high level of customer service with internal customers, Freelancers and Clients at all times.
• Any other duties as required / authorised by your Line Manager / Line Management reporting line.
• Comply with all Health and Safety requirements.
• Comply with all Policies and Procedures.
• Ensuring that work areas are kept in a clean and tidy manner at all times.

Requirements

Your Skills, Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in a workshop/fabrication environment, ideally in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of fabrication and carpentry processes, machining, and maintenance practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Strong understanding of CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Ability to interpret and validate technical drawings, models, and schematics.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a hands-on approach.
• Good IT skills for reporting, scheduling, and record-keeping.
• Knowledge of health & safety regulations and safe workshop practices.
• Ability to work autonomously whilst being a real team player.
• Willingness to take ownership and accountability.
• Ability to plan ahead, organise, prioritise, delegate and oversee workload.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines, demonstrating resilience, flexibility and ability to maintain positive relationships.
• Can-do positive attitude.
• The show must go on so providing a 7 day operation/service is key. Therefore the ability to work paid overtime on occasions, including weekends is essential.
• MS Office applications skills– Outlook, Excel, Word.

Desirable

• Trade or engineering qualification (fabrication, welding, mechanical, or similar).
• CAD design experience
• Experience in facilities or plant maintenance.
• First Aid, IOSH, or similar safety certifications.
• Experience in design-for-manufacture (DFM) and collaboration with fabricators.
• Familiarity with product development cycles and change management.