At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative mechanical systems in defence and aerospace.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge engineering firm making real-world impact.
- Benefits: Flexible working, private healthcare, performance bonuses, and career development.
- Other info: Work on meaningful projects that challenge your skills and drive innovation.
- Why this job: Shape complex solutions and mentor future engineers in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical engineering background with leadership experience in complex projects.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Join a cutting-edge engineering environment where your expertise will help shape complex, real-world defence solutions. This is a senior-level opportunity to lead from the front—combining technical depth with leadership impact across high-profile programmes.
Role Overview:
- Location: New Malden
- Package: Competitive Salary + bonus + strong benefits
- Industry: Defence & Aerospace Engineering
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Leading the end-to-end design and delivery of mechanical and electro-mechanical systems
- Acting as the go-to technical authority across materials, manufacturing and mechanical design
- Overseeing complex engineering challenges, ensuring solutions are robust, compliant and production-ready
- Managing project planning, timelines and technical delivery against quality and cost expectations
- Reviewing and approving detailed engineering documentation, prototypes and validation activities
- Collaborating with customers and suppliers to resolve technical challenges and build strong partnerships
- Mentoring engineers and developing team capability across the wider function
- Driving continuous improvement, risk management and root-cause analysis initiatives
- Ensuring alignment with industry regulations, standards and best practices
- Representing engineering excellence through internal and external engagement
Main Skills Needed:
- Strong background in mechanical engineering within defence, aerospace or maritime environments
- Proven experience leading engineering teams and delivering complex hardware projects
- Expertise across the full product lifecycle—from concept through to in-service support
- Knowledge of mechanical design standards, materials and manufacturing processes
- Experience with structural, thermal or dynamic analysis (including FEA)
- Proficiency in CAD, engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Familiarity with DFMEA, DFA, DFM and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience working with compliant materials and modern manufacturing techniques
- Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills
What’s in It for You:
- Flexible and hybrid working, including compressed hours
- Private healthcare and cash health plan
- Performance-related bonus
- Holiday buy/sell scheme
- Ongoing professional development, mentoring and career progression
- The opportunity to work on meaningful, technically challenging projects with real-world impact
Call to Action:
If you’re nodding along, let’s take the next step.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Senior or Principal Mechanical Engineer employer: Addition+
Join a leading defence and aerospace engineering firm in New Malden, where innovation meets opportunity. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, comprehensive healthcare plans, and a culture that champions continuous professional development. Here, your contributions will not only shape cutting-edge solutions but also foster meaningful partnerships and mentorship within a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior or Principal Mechanical Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and aerospace sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in mechanical engineering. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your work speak for itself.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to mechanical design and project management. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in the defence sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior or Principal Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your background in mechanical engineering, especially within defence or aerospace, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your leadership experience can drive our projects forward. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical skills. Mention your proficiency in CAD, FEA, and any relevant methodologies like DFMEA. We want to see how you can tackle complex engineering challenges.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Addition+
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering knowledge, especially in defence and aerospace. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will show your technical depth and leadership impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've managed teams and delivered complex hardware projects. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've developed team capabilities. This is crucial for a senior role, so make it clear that you can lead from the front.
✨Understand the Company’s Needs
Research the company’s current projects and challenges in the defence sector. Tailor your responses to demonstrate how your skills align with their goals, especially in areas like risk management and continuous improvement. This shows you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with customers and suppliers in the past. Share specific instances where your communication and influencing skills made a difference in resolving technical challenges. This will highlight your ability to build strong partnerships, which is key in this role.