Design Engineer

Southampton
3 days ago
Create job alert

Design Engineer – Composites / Mechanical

Southampton

Permanent – Full time

£45,000 - £55,000

An established design and manufacturing team is seeking to recruit a full-time, experienced Design Engineer to join its Design Office. The role will report directly to the Design Manager and will suit a motivated individual with strong technical and creative design capabilities.

The successful candidate will work on project-based designs across a broad spectrum of design disciplines, collaborating closely with external design teams, clients, and internal departments. The role involves producing both technical and conceptual design intent for new build projects, with support from the wider Design team.

Role & Responsibilities

With guidance and input from the Design team, the Design Engineer will be responsible for:

Producing detailed manufacturing 3D models and drawings for in-house and subcontract tooling, composite, and fabrication facilities, working closely with manufacturing teams to ensure a strong design-for-production approach.
Delivering original design input for the development of new build projects, including tooling design, composite design, and mechanical mechanisms.
Collaborating with the Engineering Department to incorporate small craft systems into master 3D models.
Supporting new development projects by researching new equipment and proposing innovative materials, systems, and design solutions.
Creating and maintaining master bills of materials for new build projects.
Capturing shop floor information to produce accurate as-built drawings. 

Required Experience & Skills

BEng / MEng level education in a relevant discipline, ideally supported by practical operational or manufacturing experience.
3–5 years’ experience in a similar design role; a portfolio of previous work is advantageous.
Knowledge of small power craft construction and design.
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
A focused, productive approach with strong accuracy and attention to detail.
Appreciation and understanding of high-end, detail-driven projects.
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
Professional experience using Microsoft Office applications.
Proficiency in 2D, 3D surface, and 3D solid modelling software, including AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, and OnShape or SolidWorks. 

Desirable Experience & Skills

Ability to carry out structural calculations to confirm suitability of designs, particularly for fabricated items and composite structures, covering both initial structural analysis and production engineering.
Knowledge of the superyacht sector and the operational requirements of yacht tenders.
Strong conceptual skills, including the ability to hand sketch and 3D model new tender concepts that align with the style and detailing of a parent vessel; a supporting portfolio would be highly advantageous. 

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to technically challenging, high-quality projects within a collaborative and design-led environment.

If you are interested in this role please apply now with your up to date CV.

Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent and fixed term contract recruitment and as a recruitment business for the supply of contract workers. Please note that by applying for this job you accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy which can be found on our website

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Mechanical Design Engineer

Repairs Design Engineer

Principle Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Design Engineer

Repair Engineer

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

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

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

Neurodiversity in Materials Science Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Materials science is everywhere – in batteries, semiconductors, medical implants, composites for aircraft, sustainable packaging & more. It’s a field built on curiosity, experimentation, precision & the ability to link microscopic structure to real-world performance. In other words, it’s a brilliant match for many neurodivergent brains. If you’re living with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you may have been told that your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too chaotic” for a scientific career. In reality, many of the traits that made school or traditional office work difficult can be serious assets in materials science & engineering. This guide is written for UK job seekers exploring materials science careers. We’ll look at: What neurodiversity means in a materials science context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map to materials roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of where you might thrive in materials science – & how to turn “different thinking” into a genuine superpower.

Materials Science Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we move into 2026, the materials science jobs market in the UK is becoming more strategic and more selective. Advanced manufacturing, batteries, hydrogen, semiconductors, fusion, net-zero infrastructure and sustainable textiles all depend on advanced materials – and the UK has made these areas a national priority. Business Growth Service +1 At the same time, funding cycles are bumpy, some legacy plants are struggling with energy costs and global competition, and employers are under pressure to hit both climate and productivity targets. That means fewer “nice-to-have” R&D roles and more focus on materials science positions that clearly support growth, decarbonisation and resilience. Whether you are a materials science job seeker planning your next move, or a recruiter building teams in advanced manufacturing, this guide breaks down the key materials science hiring trends for 2026.

Materials Science Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK materials science hiring has shifted from title‑led CV screens to capability‑driven assessments that emphasise characterisation with clear conclusions, scale‑up to pilot/production, standards compliance (ASTM/ISO/IATF/AS9100), sustainability/ESG, data literacy & measurable product or yield improvements. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for battery/materials engineers, polymer/composites specialists, metallurgists, ceramics/glass scientists, surface/thin‑film engineers, failure analysts, process/quality engineers & materials informatics roles. Who this is for: Materials scientists & engineers (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, semiconductors, thin films, coatings), process/scale‑up & manufacturing engineers, CMC in materials for life sciences, QA/QC, failure analysis, test & characterisation, sustainability/LCAs, and materials informatics/data roles in the UK.