At a Glance
- Tasks: Design cutting-edge avionics and payload systems for uncrewed aircraft in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a pioneering aerospace and defence engineering team in Bristol.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, ownership of projects, and the chance to see your designs take flight.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative technology that gets into the air quickly.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with 4-8 years of relevant experience.
- Senior Mechanical Engineer – Aerospace & Defence- Bristol- £50,000-£60,000
- Design the Systems That Make the Mission Possible
Are you a Senior Mechanical Engineer looking for more ownership, more variety and the opportunity to work on technology that actually gets into the air?
Join an innovative aerospace and defence engineering team developing tactical uncrewed aircraft, avionics and mission systems.
You’ll own mechanical design for critical avionics and payload installations, taking hardware from early concept through qualification and into production.
The programmes move quickly.
Designs can go from CAD to flying hardware in months, giving you rapid feedback and the opportunity to see the direct impact of your engineering decisions.
A Role Beyond Traditional Mechanical Design
This is a broad engineering role where mechanical, thermal and electrical considerations come together.
You’ll be responsible for
- Designing avionics and payload installations, airframe components and mechanisms in Solid Works.
- Owning models, drawings and design packs through the product lifecycle.
- Designing thermal management solutions for high-power electronics, including heatsinks, ducting, fans and interface materials.
- Designing installations with harness routing, connector access, grounding and serviceability in mind.
- Developing sealing and environmental protection for maritime and extreme climate operations.
- Supporting qualification testing across vibration, shock, temperature, altitude, humidity and salt exposure.
- Managing mechanical interfaces with electrical, systems and aerodynamics teams.
- Working with suppliers and manufacturing on machining, additive manufacturing and composites.
- Supporting design reviews and producing analysis and test documentation.
- Providing guidance and technical support to engineers earlier in their careers.
- What You’ll Bring
- Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- Around 4–8 years' mechanical design experience, ideally within aerospace, defence or another demanding engineering environment.
- Experience taking hardware through environmental qualification and testing.
- Experience with low-to-medium volume manufacturing, including machining, additive manufacturing and/or composites.
- Ability to use structural or thermal FEA/CFD for initial analysis.
- Strong Solid Works and engineering drawing experience; GD&T knowledge is beneficial.
- An interest in working across mechanical, thermal and electrical interfaces rather than being limited to a single discipline.
- A practical approach to engineering, with the ability to hand-calculate and sanity-check designs before turning to simulation.
- The confidence to make decisions and deliver under changing priorities and tight timescales.
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to work on innovative technology at the pace of a growing aerospace and defence programme.
For further information and to apply please contact Victoria at Copello on (phone number removed)
Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bristol employer: Copello
As a Contracts & Subcontracts Manager at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that values collaboration and innovation. With flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to employee development, we offer numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while being part of a supportive team in the vibrant cities of Gloucester or Manchester. Join us to make a meaningful impact in your career while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bristol
✨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 Copello.
✨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 Copello love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Copello 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 Senior Mechanical Engineer in Bristol
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 Copello and the Senior Mechanical Engineer 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 Copello
✨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 Copello.
✨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 Copello.
✨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 Copello, making you a more appealing candidate.
