Design Engineer in Devon

ATA Recruitment are supporting an established and growing engineering solutions business seeking a Design Engineer to join its Exeter operation. This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a specialist engineering team delivering custom hydraulic and pneumatic systems for blue-chip clients across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, FMCG, water, and industrial sectors. With significant investment, ambitious growth plans, and a strong reputation for delivering complex engineering solutions, this role offers the chance to work on technically challenging projects while developing your expertise in hydraulic system design.

About the Company

Our client is part of one of the UK's leading engineering and industrial component groups, employing over 600 people nationwide and supplying engineered solutions to some of the world's most recognised manufacturing and industrial organisations. Their specialist engineering division designs, manufactures, tests and installs bespoke systems, with the Exeter operation delivering full turnkey projects, taking solutions from concept and design through to manufacture, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. Customers include major organisations operating within aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, food production and industrial engineering environments.

The Role

As Design Engineer, you will be responsible for designing bespoke systems and supporting structures for a wide variety of industrial applications. Projects typically range from £5,000 to £450,000 and involve a combination of hydraulic, mechanical and fabrication design work. You will work closely with production, installation teams, suppliers and customers to ensure solutions are practical, cost-effective and manufacturable.

Key Responsibilities

• Design hydraulic power units and hydraulic systems for industrial applications
• Produce detailed 3D models using SolidWorks
• Create manufacturing and assembly drawings
• Design hydraulic cylinders and associated components
• Carry out Design for Manufacture (DFM) activities
• Design fabricated structures including: Frames, Skids, Enclosures, Bracketry, Fabricated assemblies
• Support projects from concept through to manufacture
• Liaise with suppliers, customers and internal engineering teams
• Support continuous improvement and engineering best practice initiatives

What We're Looking For

We are keen to speak with Design Engineers, Mechanical Design Engineers, Project Design Engineers or Product Design Engineers from a manufacturing or engineering environment.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in a mechanical design role
• Proficient in SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD package
• Experience producing detailed manufacturing drawings
• Strong understanding of fabrication and sheet metal design
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications and customer requirements
• Good communication and problem-solving skills

Desirable Experience

• Hydraulic system design
• Pneumatic system design
• Mechanical handling equipment
• Industrial machinery
• Fluid power systems
• Pressure systems
• Defence or aerospace projects
• Design calculations and technical specifications

Candidates without direct hydraulic design experience are encouraged to apply, as full training and development can be provided for engineers with strong mechanical design fundamentals.

What's On Offer

• £35,000 - £42,000 basic salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension
• Career progression within a growing engineering group
• Exposure to diverse engineering projects
• Technical training and development
• Opportunity to develop specialist hydraulic design expertise
• Stable, long-term career prospects

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a business that combines the resources and stability of a major engineering group with the flexibility and technical variety of a specialist engineering company. You'll work on bespoke projects rather than repetitive product design, gain exposure to high-profile customers and develop highly sought-after skills in hydraulic system engineering. If you're a Mechanical Design Engineer who enjoys solving engineering challenges and wants to be involved in projects from concept through to installation, we'd like to hear from you.

ATA Recruitment are working exclusively with this client. We will be conducting a shortlist starting today, with the first interview over the phone. Successful candidates will then be forwarded to our client with our recommendation. If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please respond with your intention as we are looking to fill this role in the not-so-distant future. You will then be contacted by one of our Recruitment Consultants who will be able to provide more details.

Contact: Bhav Patel, Recruitment Consultant

ATA Recruitment specialises in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Civil, Transportation and general Engineering recruitment on both a permanent and contract basis – for more opportunities like this one, visit our website.

By applying, you accept the terms of our Privacy Notice which can be found on our website. ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.