At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering projects in a dynamic submarine programme and mentor fellow engineers.
- Company: Join BAE Systems, a leader in innovative defence technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive health benefits.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for professional growth and relocation support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while shaping the future of submarine technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in mechanical engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Barrow-in-Furness. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this role.
Salary: Circa £55,000
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the delivery of assigned engineering scope, ensuring quality and timely outputs across design, integration, and qualification.
- Overseeing technical ownership of several mechanical systems, ensuring compliance with system requirements and effective collaboration across interface areas.
- Producing engineering artifacts, including documentation, calculations and performing simulation/analysis.
- Managing task allocation and progress tracking through structured tools (Jira/Confluence), ensuring alignment with programme milestones, cost, and schedule expectations.
- Coaching and supporting engineers at all levels — from graduates to senior professionals — to grow technical capability and confidence.
- Working closely with peers, suppliers, and wider functional stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain delivery momentum.
- Reviewing technical documentation, supporting hazard assessments, and managing change control with sound engineering judgement.
- Proactively identifying and addressing shortfalls in delivery, documentation or process — embedding a culture of openness, improvement, and accountability.
Your skills and experiences:
- A proven track record of delivering complex mechanical or multi-disciplinary engineering tasks in a regulated environment.
- Experience mentoring or coaching engineers to support technical and professional growth.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to lead conversations, challenge constructively, and build strong working relationships.
- The ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, project, safety, ILS and supply chain functions.
- Familiarity with task and documentation management tools such as Jira and Confluence.
- Working toward or already professionally registered (CEng strongly preferred).
- A STEM-related degree (or equivalent experience) with strong foundations in systems thinking and platform-level integration.
Benefits:
As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.
The Platform Mechanical team:
You’ll join the Platform Mechanical Integrated Delivery Team — a dynamic, collaborative engineering group working at the forefront of submarine platform development. The team brings together engineers from across disciplines, career levels, and partner organisations to deliver critical mechanical capability. Through close engagement with suppliers, systems engineers, and programme stakeholders, you’ll play a central role in shaping high-integrity technical solutions, supporting team development, and ensuring delivery remains aligned with the wider programme plan and budget. We have multiple roles available & will be offering positions within the following disciplines; Air Purification & Atmosphere Monitoring, Trim & Compensation, Hydraulics, Air Movement & HVAC, and Cooling. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
Why BAE Systems?
This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.
Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.
Closing Date: 31st March 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - Water
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like BAE Critical Skills.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like BAE Critical Skills love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of BAE Critical Skills and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - Water
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for BAE Critical Skills and the Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - Water role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at BAE Critical Skills
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at BAE Critical Skills.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at BAE Critical Skills.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with BAE Critical Skills, making you a more appealing candidate.