Engineering Manager – Product & Sustaining (Mechanical)

Kent | Hybrid working | Up to c.£75,000 + package

Contact: Emily Powell, Associate Director at Pearson Whiffin Recruitment

Are you an experienced Engineering Manager who thrives on leading teams, solving real-world product challenges, and keeping critical products performing in the field?

This is a key leadership role within a highly regulated manufacturing environment, focused on sustaining existing products rather than new product development. If you enjoy problem-solving, technical leadership and developing engineers, this could be a strong fit.

The Role

You’ll take ownership of a well-established engineering team, leading the ongoing support and improvement of a complex product portfolio.

Your focus will include:

• Leading a team of c.10 engineers, driving performance, engagement and development
• Acting as a technical authority across mechanical design and product issues
• Managing real-world challenges such as material shortages, quality issues and field failures
• Ensuring products remain compliant, manufacturable and commercially viable
• Driving continuous improvement across processes, capability and output
• Working cross-functionally with quality, operations and supply chain to resolve issues quickly and effectively

This is a role where you’ll be close to the detail, not just managing from a distance.

What We’re Looking For

We’re keen to speak with candidates who bring a strong blend of technical depth and proven leadership.

Key experience:

• Background in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering (or similar)
• Proven experience managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams (6–10+ reports)
• Strong understanding of design-led engineering environments (not purely process/production)
• Experience within a regulated industry (medical devices highly desirable)
• Exposure to plastic moulding, materials or tooling would be a significant advantage
• Comfortable operating in a sustaining / in-market product environment rather than NPI

Leadership style:

• A steady, collaborative leader who can integrate into an established team
• Confident in coaching, mentoring and managing performance
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused and calm under pressure
• Focused on continuous improvement, not unnecessary disruption

Why This Role?

• Lead a stable, well-performing team with real ownership
• Work on products already in the market, solving meaningful challenges
• Influence both technical direction and team development
• Join a business operating within a highly regulated, quality-driven environment
• Hybrid working with a strong balance of on-site collaboration and flexibility

Location & Package

• Kent-based role (hybrid – typically a minimum of 2 days on-site)
• Salary up to c.£75,000 with some flexibility for the right person
• Competitive wider benefits package

Important Considerations

• This role is not suited to candidates focused purely on NPI or innovation-led environments
• You must be comfortable with a hands-on, problem-solving sustaining environment

If you’re an Engineering Manager who enjoys leading from the front, developing teams and solving complex product challenges, we’d love to have a confidential conversation.