Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Gateshead or Telford
Job Type: Contract, Full-Time
Primary Industry: Engineering
Secondary Industry: Military and Defence
Job Description
The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer plays a crucial role within the engineering team, delivering advanced mechanical design solutions for defence-related projects. This position requires a high level of technical expertise in mechanical design, alongside a comprehensive understanding of military and defence standards. The role involves conceptualising, developing and refining mechanical components and assemblies, ensuring designs meet stringent performance, safety and quality requirements.
The successful candidate collaborates closely with multi-disciplinary teams including systems engineers, manufacturing, quality assurance and project management to deliver robust and innovative mechanical designs. The role demands strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage design activities throughout the full product lifecycle from concept to production support.
Job Duties
Develop and produce detailed mechanical design drawings, models and specifications using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Lead design reviews and provide technical guidance to ensure compliance with relevant military and defence standards.
Perform mechanical calculations and simulations to validate design performance and reliability under operational conditions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate mechanical designs with electrical, systems and software components.
Manage design changes effectively, ensuring traceability and documentation of all revisions.
Support prototyping, testing and validation activities, analysing results and implementing necessary design improvements.
Ensure all designs comply with health and safety regulations and industry best practises.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation including bills of materials, assembly instructions and user guides.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the mechanical design discipline.
Mentor junior engineers and support their professional development.
Required Qualifications
Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
Proven experience using 3D CAD software Siemens NX.
Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, materials science and manufacturing processes.
Familiarity with military and defence engineering requirements and standards.
Demonstrable ability to produce high-quality technical documentation.
Education
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering qualification.
Experience
At least five years of experience in mechanical design engineering within the defence or related engineering sector.
Experience working on complex, safety-critical systems.
Proven track record of delivering mechanical designs through full product lifecycle stages.
Knowledge and Skills
Excellent knowledge of mechanical design methodologies and best practises.
Proficient in CAD modelling and engineering analysis techniques.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Effective communication skills, able to present technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines.
Familiarity with relevant British and international engineering standards.
Preferred Qualifications
Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution such as the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Experience with defence-specific design tools and simulation software.
Security clearance or eligibility to obtain security clearance for work within the defence sector.
Working Conditions
The role is primarily hybrid office-based (3 days) with occasional visits to manufacturing or testing facilities.
Standard full-time hours are expected, with some flexibility required to meet project deadlines.
The position may involve working within a secure environment requiring adherence to confidentiality and security protocols.
Travel within the United Kingdom may be necessary to support project activities or client meetings
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