At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative mechanical products in a hands-on role.
- Company: Bennett Engineering, a growing British engineering company with a focus on quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, direct access to decision-makers, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with varied work across design, production support, and improvement projects.
- Why this job: Shape engineering standards and make a real impact on product development.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical engineering background and experience in design, ideally in heavy equipment sectors.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Bennett Engineering is looking for a capable and hands-on Lead Engineer to take technical ownership of our design and engineering function. This is a senior engineering role, reporting directly to the General Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the technical design process, developing new products, improving existing products, supporting production, and ensuring our engineering work is accurate, practical, compliant, and commercially effective. This is not a role managing a team of engineers. Instead, we are looking for someone who can take responsibility for the engineering output of the business, work independently, make sound technical decisions, and help drive the company forward.
About the Role
The Lead Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of Bennett Engineering products, including agricultural and industrial mechanical equipment. The role will involve working closely with production, quality, purchasing, suppliers, customers, and senior management to ensure products are designed correctly, manufactured efficiently, and supported properly throughout their lifecycle. A strong working knowledge of SolidWorks is essential. Experience with FEA is important. Experience with Fusion 360 would be advantageous, but is not necessary.
Key Responsibilities
- Take technical ownership of engineering design work across the business.
- Report directly to the General Manager.
- Design and develop new mechanical products and product improvements.
- Produce accurate 3D models, assemblies, and 2D manufacturing drawings.
- Carry out FEA and engineering calculations where required.
- Support production with technical queries, build issues, and design improvements.
- Work with quality and production teams to resolve engineering-related problems.
- Review existing designs for manufacturability, strength, cost, and reliability.
- Support product testing, validation, and compliance requirements.
- Liaise with suppliers and customers on technical matters.
- Maintain accurate engineering records, drawings, revisions, and documentation.
- Help standardise and improve engineering processes within the company.
- Ensure designs are practical, safe, cost-effective, and suitable for manufacture.
Skills and Experience Required
- Strong mechanical engineering background.
- Proven experience in mechanical design, ideally within agricultural, automotive, construction, hydraulic, or heavy equipment sectors.
- Good understanding of FEA and structural analysis.
- Ability to produce high-quality manufacturing drawings.
- Practical understanding of fabrication, machining, welding, hydraulics, and assembly.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical decisions.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Good communication skills with production teams, suppliers, and customers.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of cost-effective design.
- High attention to detail.
- Experience with Fusion 360.
- Experience with hydraulic systems.
- Experience with agricultural machinery or mechanical handling equipment.
- Knowledge of compliance, testing, type approval, or product validation.
- Experience improving legacy designs and production processes.
- Familiarity with ERP systems or engineering change control processes.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who is technically strong, practical, reliable, and capable of becoming the key engineering authority within the business. The right person will be confident working independently, able to make well-reasoned engineering decisions, and comfortable working closely with production and senior management. This role would suit an experienced Design Engineer, Senior Design Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or Project Engineer who is ready to take ownership of engineering output within a growing manufacturing business.
What We Offer
Salary of £45,000 – £55,000, depending on experience. Senior technical role with direct access to decision-makers. Opportunity to shape engineering standards and product development. Varied work across design, production support, testing, and improvement projects. Long-term opportunity within an established British engineering company.
Lead Design Engineer employer: Bennett Engineering
Bennett Engineering is an exceptional employer, offering a senior engineering role that allows you to take technical ownership of the design and engineering function within a supportive and collaborative environment. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape engineering standards and product development while working closely with decision-makers in a well-established British company. The culture promotes independence and innovation, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer
✨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 put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best design projects, including any SolidWorks or FEA work you've done. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to mechanical design and engineering principles. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects and how you can apply that experience at Bennett Engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Bennett Engineering.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your strong mechanical engineering background and any experience you have with SolidWorks and FEA. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your application for Bennett Engineering. Mention specific projects or experiences that relate to agricultural or industrial mechanical equipment. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to make your key achievements stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bennett Engineering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering knowledge, especially in areas like FEA and SolidWorks. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how your technical decisions have positively impacted product design and production.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. Highlight your ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions, as this is crucial for the Lead Design Engineer role.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since you'll be liaising with various teams, practice explaining complex engineering concepts in simple terms. Good communication skills are key, so think about how you can demonstrate your ability to collaborate with production, suppliers, and customers.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Understand the importance of cost-effective design and how it impacts the business. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced quality and cost in your previous projects, showing that you can contribute to the company's bottom line.
