Manufacturing Draughtsman and Concept Designer

Full Job Description

Plunge Creations is a creative, busy, and diverse company working on a wide variety of projects at any given time.

We are seeking a designer with strong knowledge of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes. You will collaborate closely with our team and engineers to ensure designs are structurally sound, compliant with industry standards, and efficiently manufacturable. This includes selecting appropriate materials, specifying tolerances, and understanding the mechanics of the final product.

You will work alongside the projects team to assist with quoting, planning, and overseeing projects through the workshop. The role is approximately 75% technical drawing and manufacturing documentation and 25% conceptual design.

This position requires excellent communication skills, strong organisation, the ability to manage multiple design tasks simultaneously, and a calm, friendly manner under pressure. A keen eye for detail and a creative mindset are essential.

Our fabrication teams operate across several buildings on one site, so there is regular movement between workspaces and the use of stairs, particularly during busy periods. While reasonable adjustments will be made wherever possible, the layout of the site means that movement between buildings is an inherent part of the role.

Due to the nature of this role, it is full-time and based on-site at our workshop in Portslade.

General job description: Typical responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:

Client & Concept Work

• Work from client briefs to create design proposals that meet the brief and budget parameters.
• Create client presentation drawings for approval, including simplified general assembly drawings, overall dimensions, materials, and finishes in PDF format.
• Where required (infrequent), create short animations to explain and support design proposals.
• Produce concept designs and client presentations.
• Undertake R&D maquette making to prove design concepts.

Technical Documentation

• Create workshop drawings: general assemblies with overall dimensions, construction details, fixings/tolerances, materials, finishes, and a Bill of Materials (liaising with the project manager).
• Record and incorporate any client changes before fabrication; reissue updated drawings for approval.
• Manage all revisions, ensuring the drawing/job folder is up to date throughout the project.
• Produce supplementary drawings such as exploded views, assembly breakdowns, and reassembly instructions for packing/transport.
• Create space-planning schematics to minimise unused space during transit.
• Prepare 3D print files, manage, and oversee 3D print production.
• Edit client graphic assets where needed. Prepare 2D graphic elements (Ai format) for print production with cut lines.
• Prepare CNC/laser cutting files for various materials, with accompanying PDFs showing quantities and dimensions.
• Ensure all outsourced components fit correctly with in-house elements.

Workflow & Collaboration

• Liaise with the project management and fabrication teams at all stages of production for design changes, solutions, and progress updates.
• Support the project management and fabrication teams in keeping jobs on budget and on time.
• Maintain awareness of all issued drawings on the workshop floor and manage their distribution. Ensure makers are informed of any changes and that these are noted on the drawings in use.
• Ensure drawings are issued in good time, in correct sequence, and in line with the production timeline.
• Recall and update all drawings as required; Oversee file management, archive old versions and maintain a clear record of fabricated items for potential re-runs.
• Ensure all drawing job folders are complete and up to date before closing the file.
• Monitor and simplify drawing file architecture to minimise the risk of incorrect information being issued.

Other Duties

• Create and manage vinyl cut element files.
• Produce occasional promotional material for Plunge (print and online).
• Maintain awareness of standard material properties and sizes (metal, glass, timber, plastics) and research new materials relevant to projects.
• Attend production and other relevant meetings.
• Work with management team to ensure efficient running of the workshop.
• Work in accordance with health & safety guidance, wearing appropriate PPE when on the workshop floor.
• Inform management immediately if you become aware of any unsafe working conditions in the workshop.
• Undertake training as required.
• Perform any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager or senior management.

Performance Measures

• Accuracy and clarity of drawings/files issued to production.
• Timely delivery of design outputs.
• Effective communication and collaboration with project and production teams.
• Ability to maintain file organisation and revision control.

Apply

https://forms.gle/bfNriPfD7TEvS7CJ8