Solutions Engineering Manager

Main Purpose

The Engineering Solutions Manager turns client needs into workable, profitable engineering solutions. The role leads the design, development, and delivery of engineered solutions that meet client requirements while aligning with technical standards, commercial targets, and long-term strategy. It combines engineering excellence through technical leadership, commercial delivery, and client engagement through continuous improvement.

Key Accountabilities

1. Solution Design & Technical Leadership

• Translate customer requirements into practical engineering solutions
• Review and approve the team’s technical proposals and system designs
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Act as an escalation point for complex technical challenges
• Guide engineering teams toward efficient, scalable solutions
• In partnership with clients, identify new product offerings based on their requirements and industry trends

Key Performance Indicators

• Adherence to safety and regulatory standards
• New product development success rate
• Reduction in rework and design errors

2. Client & Commercial Interface

• Engage with clients to understand operational needs
• Support sales teams with technical expertise during bids and tenders
• Present solutions clearly to non-technical stakeholders
• Balance performance, cost, and delivery
• Protect margin while delivering value

Key Performance Indicators

• On-time proposals
• Accurate solutions, pricing, and lead times
• Tender success
• Solution profitability and margin performance
• Client satisfaction and retention

3. Project Oversight

• Oversee engineering execution from concept to handover
• Work closely with Project Management to:
  • Coordinate effective project delivery
  • Ensure deliverables meet scope
• Manage risks and technical changes

Key Performance Indicators

• Documented processes
• Delivery Cycle time
• Seamless integration with other departments
• Lead time for output and changes
• Adherence to safety and regulatory standards

4. Team Leadership

• Mentor and develop engineering staff
• Allocate resources across projects and build succession
• Improve engineering processes, standards, and team capability
• Foster a culture of problem-solving and accountability

Key Performance Indicators

• High engineering team productivity
• Contingency, succession, and backup planning
• Disciplinary records
• Low absenteeism rates
• Team performance and achievements
• Team capability growth and retention

5. Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for design standardisation
• Improve cost efficiency and delivery speed
• Capture lessons learned from completed projects
• Drive innovation in engineering methods or technology

6. Engineering Strategy Leadership

• Develop long-term engineering strategy aligned with business growth and objectives
• Identify technology trends and integrate relevant innovation into solutions
• Establish engineering standards, frameworks, and best practices across projects
• Propose investment decisions in tools, systems, and capabilities
• Align engineering capability with future market opportunities
• Build scalable solution architectures that support repeatable delivery
• Partner with executive leadership on technical direction and risk planning

Key Performance Indicators

• Strategic goal achievement rate
• Innovation pipeline strength
• Engineering team agility
• Engineering efficiency and throughput
• Adoption of engineering standards and innovation

Our Values & Culture

We value our people, how they engage with one another and provide them with an interesting, challenging environment within which to succeed.

The following behaviours, relational skills and personal attributes are important to us:

• We can identify the essence of our teams’ needs and know that our future depends on how we meet these needs.
• We believe in respect for ourselves, others, our customers, and our work.
• We enjoy collaboration and working in teams but can work independently.
• We take accountability for our actions.
• We maintain a sense of humility and humour.
• We find hard work satisfying.
• We believe in continuous learning.
• We are creative, innovative and have a can-do approach.
• We take pride in the quality of our workmanship.
• We apply meticulous attention to detail.
• We are adaptable and able to respond positively to unanticipated situations.

We value a shared culture of mutual respect and work ethic.

• We value and respect every client, colleague, supplier, and partner
• We are proud of what we have achieved and love what we do
• We depend on one another to succeed, and we share in it
• We know we need to work hard to get it right
• We believe we can always learn and improve
• We enjoy being innovative and creative and surprising our clients with great solutions.

Technical Competencies

• A strong understanding of structures and fabrication techniques. (essential)
• Expertise in the properties and applications of materials, including steel, aluminium, and pipe. (advantageous)
• The ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, regulations, and specifications. (essential)
• A thorough knowledge of safety protocols and regulatory compliance, such as OSHA standards. (advantageous)
• Technical credibility and decision-making authority. (essential)
• Commercial awareness and financial acumen. (essential)

Software Competencies

• Strong proficiency in CAD software, preferably 3D Autodesk Inventor, and 2D CAD. (essential)
• MS Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel). (essential)
• Bigin CRM & Pastel/Sage tool knowledge. (advantageous)

Soft Skills Competencies

• Client communication and stakeholder management: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to clients, coordinate with teams and stakeholders and create clear documentation. (essential)
• Attention to Detail: A strong focus on accuracy in all aspects of the role, from reporting to managing version control for documents. (essential)
• Systems thinking and analytical problem-solving: Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think on your feet and resolve issues that may arise, such as misunderstandings, scheduling conflicts, or data gaps. (essential)
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt quickly to changing project priorities and deadlines. An open mindset and will seek out feedback to refine and develop their skills. (advantageous)
• Time management: Strong time management ensuring schedules are met, and responses to clients are quick. (essential)
• Leadership under pressure: Ability to lead, train and delegate to the team, emphasising the development of the team competencies. (essential)
• Client & Solution orientation: Ability to translate customer operational requirements into engineered systems, while balancing creativity with manufacturability and cost. (essential)
• Simplify complex technical concepts: The ability to take detailed, specialised, or highly technical information and explain it in a way that is clear, concise, and understandable to a non-expert audience—without losing the core meaning. (essential)
• Strategic thinking and innovation mindset: A proactive approach to long-term success, balancing analytical, big-picture planning with creative, experimental, and forward-thinking problem-solving. (essential)

Additional Competencies

• Knowledge of engineering and racking solutions, how they are manufactured and installed. (advantageous)
• Knowledge of the materials handling industry, manufacturing, supply chain, and/or intra-logistics. (essential)
• Knowledge of structures, fire ratings, and automation/systems integration (advantageous).

Education

• Engineering Degree in Mechanical, Civil, Industrial, Mechatronic, or similar. (essential)

Experience

• 8+ years in materials handling (or similar industry) design. (essential)
• Proven experience in engineering solution design and delivery. (essential)
• Demonstrated leadership of teams. (essential)
• Strong commercial and client-facing experience. (advantageous)
• Project management exposure in complex delivery environments. (essential)
• Experience in driving process improvement and standardisation. (essential)

Certifications / Proven experience in

• Materials handling systems engineering. (advantageous)
• Automation & robotics integration (reflecting offerings such as lifts, monorail conveyors, and automation solutions). (advantageous)
• Lean manufacturing or warehouse optimisation methods. (advantageous)