Principal Mechanical Engineer
Principal Mechanical Engineer

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead mechanical design for innovative aerospace technologies and ensure product integrity.
  • Company: Collins Aerospace, a leader in clean aviation and hybrid-electric propulsion.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, private health insurance, and generous leave options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of clean aviation and lead cutting-edge projects.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and over 7 years of relevant experience.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team in a dynamic environment with excellent career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Location: Solihull, UK (Hybrid Working Available)

About Us

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a global leader in advanced and intelligent aerospace and defence solutions. Our technologies help shape the future of flight, addressing some of the most complex challenges in a rapidly evolving global market. At our Solihull Electronic Controls and Motor Systems (ECMS) site, we are at the forefront of clean aviation innovation. Most recently, the team developed the world’s first 1MW Motor and Control System for hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion — a major milestone in sustainable aerospace engineering. We take pride in our inclusive, family-friendly culture and our commitment to diversity, collaboration, and technical excellence.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer with strong experience in motor controller and motor design to join our ECMS team in Solihull. This is a senior technical leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence next-generation aerospace technologies aligned to hybrid and electric propulsion systems. You will play a pivotal role in leading concept development, driving design excellence, and supporting the delivery of high-performance, flight-ready products across critical technology programmes.

Responsibilities

  • Leading and supporting mechanical design assurance activities, including design reviews, MRB and CMB reviews, and approval of engineering documentation
  • Ensuring the technical integrity of products across development programmes
  • Actively contributing to and supporting structured design reviews in line with ECMS engineering procedures
  • Supporting and leading the resolution of technical issues, problem reports, FRACAS, and customer queries using robust root-cause analysis tools
  • Driving engineering excellence through best practice, lessons learned, standard work creation, and mentoring of engineers
  • Supporting product definition and task tailoring across the ECMS product development lifecycle
  • Leading and developing highly effective engineering teams delivering clean aviation technologies

What We’re Looking For

  • Proven experience leading and developing mechanical engineering teams
  • Strong capability in rapid prototype and concept design delivery
  • Demonstrated experience delivering flight-standard, high-technology aerospace products
  • Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
  • More than 7 years’ relevant aerospace experience with significant technical responsibility
  • Experience with design assurance processes and airworthiness requirements
  • Strong understanding of engineering materials and relevant manufacturing methods
  • Experience with robust configuration control management
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels
  • Ability to produce and deliver high-quality technical presentations to internal and external stakeholders

What We Can Offer You

  • Work on industry-leading Clean Aviation and Hybrid-Electric Propulsion programmes
  • A collaborative, highly engaged engineering environment
  • State-of-the-art facilities and laboratories at our Solihull site
  • Exposure to the full engineering project lifecycle on a single site
  • Support from, and collaboration with, the wider global RTX business
  • Competitive salary
  • Excellent pension scheme with 2:1 employer match up to 10%
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
  • Family-friendly policies and inclusive culture
  • Private health insurance and life assurance
  • 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days

Next Steps

If you’re looking for a role where your expertise can make a real impact — and where you can belong, grow, and lead — we’d love to hear from you. Please update your CV and get in touch to apply. Please note: In line with our baseline security requirements, successful candidates may be required to provide evidence of identity, right to work in the UK, and employment and/or education history for up to three years.

Are you ready to help shape the future of clean aviation? Join us.

RTX adheres to the principles of equal employment. All qualified applications will be given careful consideration without regard to ethnicity, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Principal Mechanical Engineer employer: Collins Aerospace

Collins Aerospace in Solihull offers an exceptional work environment for a Principal Mechanical Engineer, where you can contribute to pioneering clean aviation technologies. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, diversity, and technical excellence, employees benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, flexible working arrangements, and a competitive salary package that includes a generous pension scheme and private health insurance. This role not only allows for significant professional growth but also the opportunity to lead innovative projects that shape the future of aerospace.
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Contact Detail:

Collins Aerospace Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aerospace industry, especially those who work at Collins Aerospace. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with motor controllers and design assurance processes, as these are key for the Principal Mechanical Engineer role.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for clean aviation! When you get the chance, share your thoughts on sustainable technologies and how they can shape the future of aerospace. This will resonate well with the company's mission.

✨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 serious about joining the team at Collins Aerospace.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineering
Motor Design
Motor Controller Design
Design Assurance Processes
Airworthiness Requirements
Root-Cause Analysis
Configuration Control Management
Rapid Prototyping
Concept Design Delivery
Technical Presentation Skills
Team Leadership
Engineering Materials Knowledge
Manufacturing Methods Understanding
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your experience in motor design and leadership, as these are key to what we’re looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about clean aviation and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to include any relevant technical skills or certifications that demonstrate your expertise in aerospace engineering. We want to see your understanding of design assurance processes and airworthiness requirements!

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply through our website. This way, your application will go directly to us, and we can review it promptly. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Collins Aerospace

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of motor controllers and mechanical design principles. Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in clean aviation technologies, especially those related to hybrid-electric propulsion systems. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll be expected to lead teams and drive design excellence. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led projects or mentored engineers. Highlight how you resolved technical issues and contributed to engineering best practices.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face questions about design assurance processes and airworthiness requirements. Brush up on configuration control management and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles. Practising with a friend or using mock interviews can help you articulate your thoughts clearly.

✨Engage with the Interviewers

Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, project lifecycles, and the company's vision for clean aviation. This shows that you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to their goals and culture.

Principal Mechanical Engineer
Collins Aerospace
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