At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative aircraft refuelling systems and manage a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Fluid Transfer International, a leader in aviation refuelling technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a growing international business with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a global impact by turning your designs into real-world aviation solutions.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND or BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering with CAD proficiency.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Lead Mechanical Design Engineer – Aviation Refuelling Systems
Location
Nailsworth, Stroud
Salary
Hours
- Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00
- About Fluid Transfer International
Fluid Transfer International is a leading manufacturer of world-class aviation refuelling systems.
From our dedicated facility in Nailsworth, we design, develop, and manufacture market-leading aircraft refuelling vehicles and equipment for commercial airports, military organisations, and global fuel suppliers.
Our reputation is built on quality, innovation, reliability, and engineering excellence.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a talented Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team.
The Role
As a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a key role in the design, development, and continuous improvement of our specialist aircraft refuelling vehicles and associated equipment.
Management a small team of Mechanical and Electrical Designers within the companies engineering team.
Working closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, and Project Management, you will take projects from initial concept through to manufacture and delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer looking to develop their skills within a highly specialised industry while working on technically challenging projects with an international customer base.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop aircraft refuelling vehicles and associated equipment.
- Produce accurate 3D models, technical drawings, manufacturing drawings, and electrical schematics using Autodesk Inventor and Auto CAD.
- Modify and improve existing product designs to enhance performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
- Interpret customer specifications and produce engineering proposals and tender documentation.
- Select appropriate components and create Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Liaise with Sales, Purchasing, Production, and Quality teams throughout the design process.
- Support prototype builds, testing, commissioning, and product validation activities.
- Assist with project design management from concept through to final delivery.
- Provide technical support to the manufacturing team.
- Ensure designs comply with relevant engineering standards, customer requirements, and company quality procedures.
About You
You will have a strong mechanical engineering background and enjoy solving practical engineering challenges.
You will be organised, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects while maintaining high standards of accuracy.
Essential Requirements
- HNC/HND in Mechanical or Production Engineering, or a BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
- Previous experience in a mechanical design role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
- Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD software, particularly Autodesk Inventor and Auto CAD.
- Experience with Autodesk Vault or similar CAD data management systems.
- Good understanding of sheet metal design, fabrication, welding, and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
- Knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, and fluid transfer systems.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Competent with Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively to deadlines.
Desirable Skills
- Experience of electrical design and schematic creation.
- Knowledge of PLC systems or programming (training can be provided).
- Experience within the automotive, aerospace, defence, or special-purpose vehicle industries.
- Familiarity with project management principles and engineering change processes.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £45,000 - £55,000 depending on experience.
- Ongoing professional development.
- Opportunity to work on industry-leading aviation equipment.
- Exposure to electrical and control system design.
- Genuine opportunities for career progression within a growing international business.
- 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Increasing to 24 days after 5 years' service
- Increasing to 25 days after 10 years' service
- Company pension scheme
- Life insurance
- Free on-site parking
- Company Benefits Portal offering Discount and Health and Wellbeing Support
- Electric Car Scheme
- If you're looking for a varied engineering role where you'll see your designs become real-world products used around the globe, we'd love to hear from you.
Lead Design Engineer in Gloucester employer: FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Fluid Transfer International is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Nailsworth where innovation and engineering excellence thrive. As a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, you will benefit from competitive salaries, ongoing professional development, and genuine opportunities for career progression within a growing international business. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a pension scheme, and health support, making it an attractive place for engineers seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer in Gloucester
✨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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
✨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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED 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 Lead Design Engineer in Gloucester
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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED and the Lead 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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
✨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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
✨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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
✨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 FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, making you a more appealing candidate.
