At a Glance
- Tasks: Solve complex engineering problems and design innovative mechanical solutions.
- Company: Join A-SAFE, a leader in safety-critical products for industrial environments.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, subsidised gym, 25 days holiday, and enhanced family leave.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety-critical products while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design skills and experience with CAD and validation methods.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Are you a mechanical engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, applying first‑principles thinking, and seeing your designs tested and validated in the real world? As a Mechanical Design Engineer at A‑SAFE, you’ll play a key role in delivering robust, high‑quality mechanical solutions across our New Product Development (NPD) portfolio. This is a hands‑on engineering role where your work directly contributes to innovative, safety‑critical products used in industrial environments worldwide.
You’ll work closely with Product Design Engineers, Testing, Manufacturing and Commercial teams to ensure every design is mechanically sound, validated, manufacturable and commercially viable.
How you will make an impact
- Responsible for delivery of all assigned NPD projects/tasks, ensuring a strong foundation of mechanical principles with demonstrable effectiveness.
- Responding to Mechanical briefs with clear solutions and demonstrable mechanical thinking.
- Contribute actively to NPD projects, completing mechanical tasks as required alongside Product Design Engineers and other team members.
- Execute verification and validation practices, across internal and external assessments, at all stages of the NPD process, to ensure a validated, verified design.
- Collaborate with internal testing partners across mechanical projects, to ensure the effective assessment of mechanical concepts.
- Collaborate with internal and external manufacturing partners to ensure high levels of DFM and DFA at every stage.
- Carry out checks on CAD, drawings, and other deliverable documents to ensure a high level of output.
- Collaborate with commercial teams, to ensure design viability at every stage.
- Collaborate with adjacent A‑SAFE departments to ensure the flow through of project information.
- Communicating progress through periodic project updates, both laterally across the NPD and wider team, and upwards to Head of NPD and R&D Director.
- Observe and communicate project risks, issues and mitigating actions to Head of NPD and R&D Director.
- Mentor, guide and steer other members of the NPD team through professional, contextual and design‑based challenges.
- Represent the values of the NPD team and A‑SAFE in every aspect of work.
What we are looking for
- Strong level of technical skill, across all NPD process phases – research, definition, concept generation, concept development, DFM, DFA and preparation for launch, with the ability to lead, and complete tasks at every stage.
- Strong understanding of core mechanical principles – mechanics of solids, materials (polymers) and stress analysis (core principles and via FEA), with ability to communicate and demonstrate principles to others.
- Strong level of capability in core mechanical design practices – CAD (Inventor), concept generation, prototyping, testing, drawing production, DFMEAs.
- Strong understanding of validation methods and practices, through both internal validation and external validation to standards.
- Strong awareness of manufacturing processes and considerations, with strong practical experience, particularly injection moulding, extrusion and processing of polymers, elastomers and metals.
- High level of awareness of commercial factors, with demonstrable understanding of designing to product and project budgets.
You’ll also bring
- A curious, analytical mindset with a passion for understanding root causes.
- High attention to detail and pride in engineering quality.
- The ability to organise, prioritise and manage multiple mechanical tasks.
- Confidence presenting ideas, explaining design decisions and contributing to technical discussions.
- A collaborative, team‑focused approach, this is not a “work in isolation” role.
- Motivation to see designs through testing, validation and manufacture.
Why you’ll love working with us
You’ll join a growing, technically strong NPD team where mechanical engineering expertise is valued and encouraged. You’ll work on innovative, safety‑critical products that present real engineering challenges, from materials behaviour and impact performance to manufacturing constraints and validation requirements. This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact, develop your mechanical capability, and put your stamp on a growing discipline within A‑SAFE. You’ll be supported by experienced mechanical leaders, exposed to world‑first engineering challenges, and given the space to grow your career in a collaborative, engineering‑led environment. If you enjoy tackling complex mechanical problems, working hands‑on across the development lifecycle, and contributing to products that make a real difference, this role is for you.
A subsidised on‑site gym, available for all colleagues. Flexible start and finish times to fit around you and your lifestyle. Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and NICU pay. 25 Days holiday plus bank holidays with the option to buy more. Cycle to work scheme, Specsavers vouchers, long service rewards, EAP.
For more information on our benefits, please see our benefits booklet.
Mechanical Design Engineer in Elland employer: A-SAFE UK
At A-SAFE, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to tackle complex engineering challenges while contributing to safety-critical products that make a real difference in industrial environments. With a strong focus on employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a range of benefits including a subsidised gym and enhanced family leave, A-SAFE is committed to supporting your professional development and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer in Elland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common mechanical design questions and showcasing your problem-solving skills. Use real-world examples from your past projects to demonstrate your expertise and how you tackle complex challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications with a friendly email to express your enthusiasm for the role. This shows initiative and keeps you on their radar, making it more likely they'll remember you.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings at A-SAFE. We’re always looking for talented individuals like you, so don’t hesitate to apply directly through us for a better chance of landing that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Engineer in Elland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Mechanical Design Engineer role. Highlight your technical skills, especially in CAD and mechanical principles, to show us you’re the right fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about mechanical engineering and how your experience can contribute to our NPD projects. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of complex engineering problems you've solved. We love seeing first-principles thinking in action, so don’t hold back on sharing those success stories!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at A-SAFE!
How to prepare for a job interview at A-SAFE UK
✨Know Your Mechanical Principles
Brush up on your core mechanical principles, especially mechanics of solids and stress analysis. Be ready to discuss how these principles apply to real-world scenarios, as this will show your depth of understanding and ability to communicate complex ideas.
✨Showcase Your CAD Skills
Familiarise yourself with CAD software, particularly Inventor, and be prepared to discuss your experience with it. Bring examples of your previous work or projects where you used CAD to solve design challenges, as this will demonstrate your practical skills.
✨Prepare for Team Collaboration Questions
Since this role is highly collaborative, think of examples where you've worked effectively in a team. Be ready to explain how you contributed to NPD projects and how you handled any challenges that arose during collaboration with other departments.
✨Understand the Validation Process
Make sure you have a solid grasp of validation methods and practices. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied these in past projects, and how you would approach verification and validation in the context of A-SAFE’s safety-critical products.