Mechanical Design Engineer in Sedgefield

Central Employment are working in partnership with an innovative engineering organisation seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join their growing team. This is an excellent opportunity to work on a range of advanced RF and microwave products, supporting projects from initial concept through to full-scale production. You will be joining a highly experienced engineering environment with access to advanced design tools and in-house RF/mmWave manufacturing capabilities, offering strong technical development and progression. The product portfolio spans low-volume specialist devices through to high-volume applications across telecommunications, aerospace, defence and space sectors.

The Role

You will provide end-to-end mechanical engineering support across the development of high-frequency RF systems, modules and amplifiers. The focus will be on delivering mechanically robust, lightweight and thermally efficient solutions that meet performance, reliability, manufacturability and cost requirements. This role involves designing for demanding industrial and high-reliability environments, including space-related applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Mechanical Design and Development
  • Design precision mechanical components and assemblies for RF modules and systems, including structural enclosures, heatsinks, liquid cooling and waveguide-based designs.
  • Develop modular architectures for integration into larger systems, considering mass, space, interfaces and serviceability.
  • Ensure designs meet RF, thermal, mechanical and environmental requirements, including EMI shielding, vibration and shock resistance.
  • Produce detailed 3D CAD models and engineering drawings using SolidWorks.
  • Select appropriate materials, finishes and manufacturing processes.
• Thermal and Structural Analysis
  • Perform thermal simulations including CFD and heat transfer analysis.
  • Conduct structural and dynamic analysis using FEA for vibration, fatigue and shock.
  • Evaluate mechanical and thermal performance of assemblies.
  • Support validation of simulations through testing and data correlation.
• RF-Aware Mechanical Engineering
  • Collaborate with RF and electronics teams to optimise mechanical design for RF performance.
  • Consider waveguide structures, PCB integration, precision alignment and surface finishes.
  • Support electromechanical concept development.
• Manufacturing Support
  • Design for manufacturability and cost efficiency using processes such as CNC machining, casting and sheet metal fabrication.
  • Generate and maintain BOMs, GD&T drawings and assembly documentation.
  • Support prototype builds, first article approvals and production activity.
  • Work with suppliers and internal teams to resolve manufacturing challenges.
  • Contribute to design reviews and engineering change processes.
• Prototyping and Testing
  • Support the build and testing of prototypes.
  • Assist with environmental and reliability testing, including vibration and thermal cycling.
  • Work with production teams to develop tooling, jigs and fixtures.
  • Provide technical support throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Strong 2D and 3D CAD capability, ideally using SolidWorks.
• Experience designing high-precision mechanical assemblies in challenging environments.
• Understanding of PCB integration, RF shielding and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes, including CNC machining.
• Strong understanding of GD&T and engineering drawing standards.
• Experience creating drawings for machined, cast or sheet metal components.
• Familiarity with PDM/PLM systems and engineering change processes.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional engineering teams.

Desirable Experience

• Background in aerospace, defence, telecommunications or space-related industries.
• Experience with FEA and thermal simulation tools.
• Exposure to RF or microwave product development.
• Knowledge of lightweighting and structural optimisation.
• Familiarity with high-reliability standards and environmental testing.
• Understanding of compliance standards such as RoHS and WEEE.

Personal Attributes

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving capability.
• Proactive and hands-on approach.
• Able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong communication skills across technical teams and stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with a willingness to learn and develop.
• Collaborative team player with a customer-focused mindset.