Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

The Recruitment Studio is delighted to be working on a number of exciting opportunities for experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineers to join a leading organisation operating at the forefront of advanced engineering and defence technology.

These are high-profile engineering roles offering the opportunity to take technical ownership of complex mechanical design projects across the full product life cycle, from early-stage concepts and detailed design, through qualification and production, to in-service support.

As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will lead the development of innovative mechanical solutions for complex, high-performance products and systems. Working as part of a highly skilled, multi-disciplinary engineering environment, you will have a genuine opportunity to influence design decisions, provide technical leadership and help shape the products of tomorrow.

You will take responsibility for leading mechanical design work packages and providing technical direction throughout the product life cycle. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading complex mechanical design activities from concept through to production and in-service support.
• Providing technical leadership and taking ownership of key mechanical design work packages.
• Developing robust, innovative mechanical solutions that meet performance, safety, cost and programme requirements.
• Driving design maturity and ensuring designs are appropriately developed, verified and qualified.
• Working closely with multi-disciplinary teams including systems engineering, manufacturing, quality and supply chain.
• Acting as a key technical interface with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external partners.
• Supporting design proving, verification and qualification activities.
• Applying design methodologies including DFMEA, DFA and DFM.
• Managing technical risks, priorities and design decisions within your area of responsibility.
• Supporting and mentoring less experienced engineers, helping to develop technical capability within the wider team.
• Contributing to continuous improvement in engineering processes, tools and ways of working.

We’re looking for experienced mechanical engineers who enjoy solving complex engineering problems and are comfortable taking technical ownership and influencing design decisions. You are likely to have:

• A Degree, HND, HNC or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, combined with significant relevant industry experience.
• Proven experience leading mechanical design work packages within multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong experience across the full product life cycle, from concept and detailed design through to production and in-service support.
• In-depth knowledge of design proving, verification and qualification activities.
• Strong practical experience applying DFMEA, Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and make sound technical decisions.
• Experience working with, engaging and developing suppliers and external engineering partners.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, identify and mitigate technical risks, and work effectively to challenging deadlines.
• Experience mentoring, coaching or supporting the development of less experienced engineers.
• Relevant 3D CAD/CAE experience. Training will be provided on specific company systems and tools.

Experience or understanding of structural, thermal and/or dynamic analysis would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on technically challenging projects where your engineering expertise will have a real impact. You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take technical ownership of complex engineering projects.
• Work across the full product life cycle rather than focusing on a single stage of development.
• Collaborate with highly experienced engineers and multi-disciplinary technical teams.
• Influence significant design and engineering decisions.
• Develop your technical leadership and management capabilities.
• Build a long-term career with opportunities for progression into senior technical leadership or engineering management.

Appointments will be made at an appropriate level based on your skills, experience and technical capability.

Alongside a competitive salary, the benefits package includes:

• Company bonusUp to £2,500, dependent on company performance and subject to annual variation.
• PensionTotal employer and employee contributions of up to 14%.
• Paid overtimeOpportunities to increase your earnings through overtime.
• Flexi leaveUp to 15 additional days’ leave.
• Flexible workingFlexible working arrangements are welcomed where appropriate.
• Parental leaveUp to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, with enhancements available for paternity leave, neonatal leave and fertility-related support.
• Site facilitiesIncluding subsidised meals, free car parking and more.
• Healthcare cash planSupport towards everyday healthcare costs including optical, dental, health and wellbeing expenses.

Due to the nature of the work, security clearance requirements apply. Applicants must be British Citizens or dual UK nationals holding British citizenship. Restrictions and/or limitations relating to nationality and right to work may apply depending on the specific role and project.

As a minimum, following an offer of employment, successful candidates will be required to undergo HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, managed by the employer’s Personnel Security Team. Additional security requirements may apply depending on the position.