At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative mechanical solutions for vital projects in water and construction sectors.
- Company: Join a leading firm with a focus on sustainability and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, flexible working, and career progression.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong support for mental health and well-being.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by turning concepts into practical designs that shape our infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Experience in design engineering and proficiency in CAD software required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking six experienced Design Engineers (Mechanical & Civils) with one position available at each of our strategic locations: Edmonton, Hoddesdon, Luton, Reading, Twickenham, and Dartford. In this role, you will support vital projects across the water, utilities, and construction sectors, bridging the gap between concept and reality. You will be responsible for delivering practical, buildable design solutions from initial concept through to fabrication and on-site installation. If you have a strong grasp of fabrication detailing, steelwork design, and constructability ensuring designs are not only technically flawless but also feasible to manufacture, transport, and assemble we want to hear from you.
What’s on Offer
- Salary: £45,000–£55,000 (dependent on experience)
- Core Benefits: Company pension & Life insurance (up to 4x salary)
- Tools Provided: Company laptop & mobile phone
- Work-Life Balance: 33 days holiday (increasing with service) & supportive, flexible working environment
- Family & Well-being: Enhanced paternity/maternity leave & dedicated mental health & wellbeing support
- Growth: Clear, structured career progression pathways
Key Responsibilities
- CAD & Engineering Design: Produce 2D and 3D CAD designs (AutoCAD / AutoCAD LT or equivalent) for fabrication and construction.
- System Layouts: Develop and interpret Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to support plant layouts.
- Fabrication Detailing: Create highly detailed fabrication drawings, including assemblies, sections, and precise material specifications.
- Structural & Mechanical Components: Design essential infrastructure, including walkways, platforms, staircases, handrails, pipe supports, frames, and steel structures.
- Manufacturability & Logistics: Ensure designs account for practical constraints:
- Optimizing cutting methods and material usage.
- Evaluating welded vs. single-piece fabrication.
- Specifying bolting, fixings, gaskets, and ancillary components.
- Breaking designs into modular sections to accommodate transport and installation constraints.
- Material Selection: Choose appropriate materials (e.g., mild steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum) tailored to the environmental conditions and application.
- Compliance & Documentation: Produce material take-offs (MTOs) and conduct design checks ensuring strict compliance with British Standards, Eurocodes, and client-specific asset standards.
- Collaboration: Work closely with project managers, site teams, and external clients to resolve real-world design challenges.
Requirements
- Experience: Proven track record in a design engineering role within the construction, water, or heavy industry sectors.
- Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in AutoCAD (2D/3D) or similar CAD suites, with a history of delivering fabrication-ready drawings (beyond just conceptual design).
- Engineering Knowledge: Solid understanding of steelwork (beams, columns, connections), fabrication processes, environmental material selection, and P&IDs.
- Standards: Familiarity with British Standards and Eurocodes, with the ability to apply them directly to engineering designs.
- Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, exceptional attention to detail, and the communication skills required to justify design decisions to diverse stakeholders.
Mechanical Design Engineer employer: DC Solution
DC Solution is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on career progression and a range of benefits including a company van and enhanced leave, working in Oxford provides a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team committed to excellence in mechanical engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer
✨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 DC Solution.
✨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 DC Solution love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of DC Solution 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 Mechanical Design Engineer
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 DC Solution and the Mechanical Design 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 DC Solution
✨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 DC Solution.
✨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 DC Solution.
✨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 DC Solution, making you a more appealing candidate.
