Principal Mechanical Engineer in Horsham

Role Purpose

Chess Dynamics is an established Leading Design and Manufacturing business, with several sites across the UK.

Our product/systems range is cutting edge and services the defence industries with solutions that fully meet specific client requirements - driving innovation is at the heart of everything we do.

We currently require an experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join our skilled engineering team.

This is an exciting senior role with the opportunity to provide technical leadership in the design, development and delivery of advanced electro‑optical surveillance, tracking, fire control and positioning systems for defence applications across land and maritime domains.

As a Principal Mechanical engineer you will be responsible for leading mechanical engineering activities from concept generation through the whole design lifecycle.

Working closely with a multi‑disciplinary team, you will help drive innovation in precision mechanisms, servo systems, structural assemblies and sensor integration, while mentoring engineers and establishing engineering best practices.

The successful candidate will also play a key role in customer engagement and technical governance, contributing to the development of mission‑critical systems that deliver world‑class surveillance, targeting and tracking capabilities for defence customers worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Have demonstratable innovative design and analytical skills in Electro‑Mechanical complex mechanisms.
• Provide leadership and technical direction within a medium size, mixed discipline, project design team to produce quality design solutions in line within budget, time and quality requirements.
• Lead in the creation of designs in 3D CAD using Solid Works software and other mathematical modelling tools.
• Lead and work in collaboration with the team to perform classical engineering analysis on designs, for performance including stress, fatigue & vibration using conventional analysis and computer simulation.
• Produce and manage detail engineering and assembly drawings for manufacturing, perform lab development and testing for verification and conformance of design outputs to meet the design inputs.
• Be responsible for leading and developing engineering reports (in partnership with other engineering discipline Leads) to support new product designs, failure investigation and any other formal documentation to support customer requirements.
• Have extensive experience and knowledge of material selection for use in extreme environmental conditions.
• Have extensive experience and knowledge of processes and coatings for the prevention of corrosion.
• Have extensive experience and knowledge of machining, fabrication and other manufacturing techniques.
• Coordinate with wider engineering teams to integrate electronic, control and drive systems into equipment designs.
• Formulate prototype designs and present the rational for such designs.
• Provide key support to resolving technical problems and deliver effective solutions.
• Lead and support design reviews and sign off release of mechanical designs into production.
• Closely liaise and support the project managers and business department managers with the timely execution of the projects.
• Present and lead internal and external design reviews and actively liaise with customers and suppliers for the timely execution of the projects.
• Provide support for the production, test and field engineering teams. Support the sales teams with bids and quotations.
• Work with project managers and sales teams to provide time estimates for design activities and keep appraised of progress.
• Support and assist the Sales Team in producing proposals and quotations/sales literature.
• Contribute towards continual improvements in product development and manufacture through effective relationship building and design guidance/liaison with other engineering functions (systems, electrical, quality etc.) and production to ensure products, solutions and above all customer requirements are fully satisfied.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Have a flair for innovation, new concept designs and a passion for mechanical engineering.
• Degree educated in Mechanical Engineering is essential.
• Have experience in the design of complex mechanisms and structures for use in harsh environments - preferably in the defence industry.
• Have proven experience in the design of systems from original concept design, produced from a specification, through to production in a Lead role.
• Be articulate to present complex technical arguments clearly and logically.
• The ability to analyse the loads on, and design solutions for, items such as gear drives bearings and motors.
• A good understanding of motion control/servo control precision mechanisms.
• An understanding of the application of machining, casting, fabrication and moulding techniques.
• Have experience in the use of Solid Works CAD system.
• Take the lead with responsibility for timely delivery of outputs within defined deadlines.
• Strong understanding (where required) of the technical work being carried out and related activities.
• Be experienced in managing the day‑to‑day activities of a small to medium size project design team, controlling workload, design output.
• Have experience and knowledge of coaching in support of talent development within the team.

Undertake peer reviews and give guidance and advice.

Show leadership and people management skills.

• Must have previous experience in a similar level position in a ‘Senior’ level role, preferably in a small or medium‑sized company and/or relevant business model.
• Experience of working in ideally the Defence or related sectors particularly in R&D and manufacturing (for example, scientific equipment manufacturers, special purpose machine builders or high‑end customisation companies).
• Provide and manage process instructions, support documentation (manuals etc.) risk assessments reviews, safety reviews, quality and health and safety assessments and control measures.
• Proficient in performing engineering calculations and analysis.
• Personal Attributes
• The ability to liaise with customers verbally and in writing in an effective manner, producing reports and participating in formal design reviews.
• Excellent internal, external customer relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability of understanding diverse and complex requirements.
• The ability to fit in and work well both in a team, working autonomously when required.
• Demonstrates leadership in our core company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Courage.
• Self‑motivated with ability and experience of leading and guiding high performing teams to operate within an agile, fast‑paced and collaborative working culture.
• Highly organised and methodical approach, with an eye for detail.
• A flexible, conscientious, and diligent attitude.
• A resilient and adaptable approach at all times.
• Experience of working and delivering within a continuous improvement environment coupled with a personal drive for continuous improvement.
• Work Life Balance
• 37.5 hour working week
• Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave
• Christmas closure
• Holiday purchasing scheme

Benefits

• Group pension plan – matched contributions up to 5%
• Income protection scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme gives you and your family access to 4 key services including remote GP service, second opinion, mental health pathway service and physiotherapy consultations
• Life assurance policy, including bereavement counselling and probate helpline
• Company shares incentive plan and save as you earn scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Wellbeing initiatives, including access to wellbeing app and the addition of mental health support for all employees.
• Plus, regular activities across our sites to support and promote wellbeing
• Regular sports and social activities
• Gym membership discounts
• Reward platform (high street discounts, employee benefits, health, and wellbeing offerings).
• Recruitment referral bonus scheme
• Excellent learning & development opportunities
• Great working environment with free, onsite car parking across all our locations
• Security Clearance Requirements

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement.

Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.

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