Graduate Design Engineer

Ponteland

10 months ago

Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Scientist

Graduate Technical Sales Executive

Graduate Metallurgist

Sales Development Representative

Polymer Technician

Junior Applied Physicist - Advanced Materials

Ready to kick-start your design engineering career in an R&D team that's pushing new product innovation?

We’re looking for a graduate or early-career Mechanical Design Engineer with 3D CAD skills (ideally SolidWorks) and a genuine passion for product development to join our expanding R&D function at part of a globally respected Group.

This is a rare opportunity to join a business that combines deep heritage with a forward-thinking culture, developing cutting-edge technologies that support the electrical infrastructure of tomorrow.

The Graduate Design Engineer Role:

Assisting with the mechanical design and development of electrical infrastructure related products.
Design analysis, modelling, and simulation to test ideas and improve performance
Using 3D CAD software to support the creation of accurate models and drawings.
Contributing to the design of new components and assemblies, working closely with other team members.
Participating in prototype builds, testing, and design iterations
Collaborating across R&D, quality, and operations to help bring new products to market

The Successful Graduate Design Engineer:
A minimum of degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Electrical or Materials Engineering.
Competence using a 3D CAD software – ideally SolidWorks
A natural curiosity for how things work and a desire to innovate
Understanding and some experience of design simulation and modelling
Strong communication skills and the ability to work within a collaborative team
A positive mindset, eager to develop both technically and professionally

What’s in it for you?
A structured career path with mentoring and support from senior engineers
The chance to develop your skills across product design, analysis, testing, and certification
Support towards gaining Chartered Engineer status
Exposure to real-world projects with hands-on development and product lifecycle experience
Be part of a supportive team that values learning, innovation and problem-solving
A role that grows with you – with increasing responsibility as your skills develop

About Us

Part of a larger group and over 200 years of heritage, the business is known for technical excellence and innovation. From United Kingdom to East Africa and beyond, our products help keep power flowing and homes connected.

Apply today and start your engineering career with a company that builds people as well as products

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Feb 12, 2026

Careers

How Many Materials Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Materials Science Job?

If you’re navigating the materials science job market, it can feel like the list of tools, techniques and platforms you should learn grows every week. One job advert mentions electron microscopy, another mentions X-ray diffraction, yet another wants experience with thermal analysis, spectroscopy, simulation software, statistical packages, manufacturing QA systems and more. With so many specialised methods and instruments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — and to start thinking you need to know everything just to be considered. Here’s the honest truth most materials science hiring managers won’t tell you directly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every piece of equipment or software. They hire you because you can use the tools you do know to answer real questions, make reliable measurements and communicate results clearly. Tools are essential — no question — but they are secondary to problem-solving ability, scientific reasoning and experimental rigour. So the real question is: how many materials science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? The precise number depends on the role you want, but for most job seekers the answer is far fewer than you think. This article breaks down what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so your CV and interviews stand out for the right reasons.

Feb 3, 2026

Jobs

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Materials Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

Materials science is a broad, interdisciplinary field that spans academia, industry, research, engineering and manufacturing. Whether you’re applying for roles in R&D, process development, quality assurance, failure analysis, nanomaterials or product scale-up, hiring managers make key decisions within the first few seconds of scanning your application. In competitive job markets, simply listing skills or qualifications isn’t enough. Hiring managers are looking for signals of relevance, technical depth, problem-solving capability and real-world impact — and they expect those signals to be clear right from the top of your CV or portfolio. This guide breaks down exactly what hiring managers typically look for first in materials science applications, why they look for it, and how you can optimise your CV, cover letter and portfolio so your application stands out and gets past the first filter.

Jan 24, 2026

Education

The Skills Gap in Materials Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Materials science sits at the heart of innovation — from sustainable energy and advanced manufacturing to aerospace, electronics, healthcare and beyond. It is an interdisciplinary field combining physics, chemistry, engineering and applied science to design and improve materials that power modern technology. Despite the clear strategic importance of materials science, employers across the UK report persistent challenges hiring graduates who are truly job-ready. Organisations need professionals who can contribute immediately to research, development, manufacturing, quality control and product scale-up — yet many recent graduates struggle to bridge the gap between academic preparation and workplace demands. This gap is not caused by a lack of intelligence or enthusiasm. It is a growing skills gap between what universities teach and what real materials science jobs require. This article explores the materials science skills gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers want, and how aspiring professionals can bridge the divide to build successful careers in this vital UK industry.