At a Glance
- Tasks: Create innovative mechanical designs for construction and utilities projects.
- Company: Join a stable engineering firm with a focus on growth and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and mental health support.
- Other info: Clear career progression and flexible working options available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in design engineering and proficiency in CAD tools required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Design Engineer (Mechanical & Civils) to support projects within the water, utilities, and construction sectors across North East London. This is a permanent PAYE role offering long-term career progression within a stable and growing engineering environment.
What’s on Offer
- Salary: £45,000–£55,000
- Permanent PAYE role
- Laptop & mobile phone
- Company pension
- Life insurance (up to 4x salary)
- 33 days holiday (increasing with service)
- Mental health & wellbeing support
- Enhanced paternity & maternity leave
- Clear career progression pathway
- Supportive and flexible working environment
Role Overview
As a Design Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering practical, buildable design solutions from concept through to fabrication and installation. This role requires a strong understanding of fabrication detailing, steelwork design, and constructability, ensuring that all designs are not only technically correct but also feasible to manufacture, transport, and install on-site.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and interpret P&ID (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams) to support plant and system layouts
- Produce 2D and 3D CAD designs (AutoCAD / AutoCAD LT or similar) for fabrication and construction
- Create detailed fabrication drawings, including assemblies, sections, and material specifications
- Design structural and mechanical components such as:
- Walkways, platforms, staircases, and handrails
- Pipe supports, frames, and steel structures
- Ensure designs consider manufacturability, including:
- Cutting methods and material usage
- Welded vs single-piece fabrication
- Bolting, fixings, gaskets, and ancillary components
- Assess transport and installation constraints, breaking designs into modular sections where required and defining assembly methodology
- Select appropriate materials (e.g. mild steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel, aluminium) based on environment and application
- Collaborate with project managers, site teams, and clients to resolve design challenges
- Produce material take-offs (MTOs) and supporting documentation
- Carry out design checks to ensure compliance with:
- British Standards
- Eurocodes
- Client/asset-specific standards
- Continuously improve design efficiency, quality, and standardisation
Requirements
- Proven experience in a design engineering role within construction, water, or heavy industry
- Strong proficiency in AutoCAD (2D/3D) or similar CAD tools
- Experience producing fabrication-ready drawings (not just concept design)
- Solid understanding of:
- Steelwork (beams, columns, connections)
- Fabrication processes and constraints
- Material selection for different environments
- Familiarity with P&IDs and plant layouts
- Knowledge of British Standards and Eurocodes (or ability to apply them in design work)
- Ability to design with practical installation and assembly in mind
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Good communication and ability to justify design decisions
Mechanical Design Engineer in Portsmouth employer: Dc Solutions Services
Join a dynamic and supportive engineering team in Portsmouth, where your role as a Mechanical Design Engineer will not only challenge you but also offer significant career growth opportunities. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a focus on mental health and wellbeing, this company fosters a flexible work culture that values innovation and collaboration, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the engineering sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer in Portsmouth
✨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 Solutions Services.
✨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 Solutions Services love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Dc Solutions Services 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 in Portsmouth
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 Solutions Services 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 Solutions Services
✨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 Solutions Services.
✨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 Solutions Services.
✨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 Solutions Services, making you a more appealing candidate.
