At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative marine structures for sustainable shipping.
- Company: Join a pioneering maritime technology company focused on environmental impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, hybrid work, and career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence product direction and work on cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in decarbonising global shipping with your engineering expertise.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 5-10 years of relevant design experience.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Southampton (Hybrid – 3 days per week on-site) £65,000–£75,000 + Excellent Benefits Package
Shape the Future of Sustainable Shipping
Are you an experienced Design Engineer looking to apply your expertise to technology that delivers real environmental impact? We're partnering with an innovative maritime technology company that is transforming the future of global shipping. As the business continues to grow, they are seeking a Principal Design Engineer to play a key role in the development of next-generation products. This is a rare opportunity to take ownership of critical structural and mechanical systems from concept through to production, working within a highly collaborative and mission-driven engineering team.
If you're motivated by complex engineering challenges, sustainability, and the opportunity to influence the development of world-class clean technology, we'd love to hear from you.
The Opportunity of the Principal Design Engineer
Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering, you will lead the design and structural development of key product subsystems, ensuring solutions are robust, compliant, manufacturable, and ready for real-world deployment. This is a hands-on technical leadership role where you'll combine advanced structural engineering expertise with practical design ownership, helping to shape products that will be deployed across the global shipping fleet.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead the mechanical and structural design of critical product subsystems
- Own the development of wing geometry, balancing performance, structural integrity, and manufacturability
- Develop and manage load cases covering classification requirements and operational environments
- Translate complex loading scenarios into clear engineering requirements
- Define structural design philosophies and ensure compliance with relevant classification standards
- Perform and oversee structural analysis, verification, and validation activities
- Develop and enhance in-house structural analysis tools and methodologies
- Lead technical engagement with classification societies and approval bodies
- Act as the subject matter expert for stress, fatigue, and structural integrity analysis
- Support and mentor junior engineers where appropriate
- Champion engineering excellence, safety, quality, and sustainability across the development process
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Degree-qualified in Naval Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline
- Approximately 5–10 years' experience designing marine structures approved by classification societies
- Strong 3D modelling and parametric design experience
- Proficiency with Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, or similar 3D CAD platforms
- Strong background in structural analysis, including FEA and hand calculations
- Proven ability to translate load cases into validated engineering solutions
- Experience working directly with classification societies and supporting technical approvals
- Familiarity with DNV, Lloyd's Register (LR), ClassNK (NK), or similar organisations
- Excellent understanding of structural integrity, DFMA principles, and manufacturability
- Pragmatic, solution-focused engineering mindset
- Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, evolving technology environment
Desirable Experience
- Fatigue analysis, buckling assessment, and large welded structures
- Aero-structural systems or performance-driven structural design
- Validation of analytical models against real-world test data
- Structural testing, verification, and manufacturing processes
Why Join?
This is far more than a design role. You'll be joining a business developing tangible technology that is helping decarbonise one of the world's most important industries. You'll have the opportunity to influence product direction, take ownership of critical engineering decisions, and see your designs deployed in real-world applications.
What's on Offer
- Excellent benefits package
- Relocation assistance available
- Visa sponsorship support for eligible candidates
- Hybrid working model
- High levels of technical ownership and autonomy
- Exposure to the full product lifecycle, from concept through to production
- Career progression opportunities as the business scales
- The chance to contribute directly to meaningful climate-impact technology
Apply Today
If you're a Mechanical, Structural, Naval, or Marine Engineer looking for a technically challenging role where your work will make a measurable environmental difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Principal Design Engineer in Southampton employer: Equation Recruitment
Join an innovative maritime technology company in Southampton, where as a Principal Design Engineer, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping sustainable shipping solutions. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a commitment to environmental impact, this company offers an excellent benefits package, hybrid working options, and the opportunity to influence world-class clean technology development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the maritime tech industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a referral that could land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best design projects, especially those related to marine structures. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Ace the interview by being ready to discuss your experience with classification societies and structural analysis. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Design Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in structural and mechanical design, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your ability to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for sustainable shipping and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your leadership in design and engineering.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We want to see your technical prowess! Include details about your experience with 3D modelling software like Siemens NX or Autodesk Inventor, and any structural analysis tools you've used. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our innovative projects.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission-driven team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Equation Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to structural and mechanical design. Be prepared to discuss your experience with 3D modelling software like Siemens NX or Autodesk Inventor, and how you've applied these skills in real-world projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of complex engineering challenges you've faced and how you tackled them. Highlight your pragmatic, solution-focused mindset and how it has led to successful outcomes in your previous roles.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Research the maritime technology company and its commitment to sustainability. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with their mission to decarbonise the shipping industry and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the team dynamics, the specific challenges they face in product development, or how they measure success in their projects. It shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.
