At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multidisciplinary design activities and ensure project delivery across rolling stock projects.
- Company: Established engineering consultancy in the UK rail sector with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Clear opportunities for career growth in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Why this job: Work on challenging projects and influence engineering best practices in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in design leadership within the rail sector and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock
Location
Derby
Salary
Negotiable + Bonus & Benefits
Type
- Permanent | Full-Time | Office-Based
- Lead Design Engineer – Rolling Stock & Rail Engineering
- An established engineering consultancy operating within the UK rail sector is seeking a
Lead Design Engineer to join its growing Design Engineering team.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Design Engineer, Senior Design Engineer, Project Engineer, or Design Team Lead looking to take ownership of project delivery and play a key role in leading multidisciplinary design activities across a diverse portfolio of rolling stock projects.
The position offers a blend of technical leadership, project coordination, stakeholder management, and design governance, making it ideal for someone who enjoys overseeing the complete design process while mentoring and supporting engineering teams.
The Opportunity
As Lead Design Engineer, you will act as the focal point between design teams, project engineering, project management, customers, and suppliers.
You will be responsible for coordinating the delivery of design work packages, ensuring quality, compliance, and programme objectives are achieved.
Working across a variety of rolling stock modification and engineering projects, you will lead multidisciplinary teams, drive technical excellence, and ensure design outputs are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
This is primarily a leadership and project delivery role, with limited hands-on design work.
The focus is on governance, technical oversight, stakeholder engagement, design reviews, and supporting engineers to successfully deliver project objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Project & Design Delivery
- Lead the delivery of engineering design work packages across rolling stock projects.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary design activities across mechanical and electrical disciplines.
- Allocate and manage engineering tasks based on team capability and project requirements.
- Monitor progress, identify risks, and drive projects through to successful completion.
- Manage design documentation, drawing registers, design changes, and technical deliverables.
- Act as the key interface between engineering teams, project stakeholders, customers, and suppliers.
- Technical Leadership
- Ensure designs meet customer, safety, regulatory, operational, and project requirements.
- Lead internal and external design reviews and technical assurance activities.
- Oversee drawing reviews, technical checking, and design quality standards.
- Support design verification activities and engineering governance processes.
- Promote robust, compliant, and maintainable engineering solutions.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Provide day-to-day leadership and technical guidance to design engineers.
- Mentor and support engineers at varying levels of experience.
- Encourage collaboration across engineering disciplines and wider project teams.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and technical excellence.
- Commercial & Business Support
- Support project planning, resource allocation, and budget management activities.
- Contribute to bid support and project estimating when required.
- Drive improvements in engineering processes, systems, and ways of working.
About You
We are looking for an experienced engineering professional with strong design delivery and leadership capabilities.
Essential Experience
- Proven experience leading engineering design activities within the rail or rolling stock sector.
- Strong understanding of design governance, technical assurance, and design review processes.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Ability to manage project deliverables, technical risks, and stakeholder expectations.
- Experience reviewing and approving engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.
- Engineering qualification (HNC, HND, Degree, or equivalent industry experience).
Desirable Experience
- Electrical engineering bias or experience working on electrical rolling stock systems.
- Experience within engineering consultancies or project-based environments.
- Familiarity with engineering change management processes.
- Experience using CAD systems such as Solid Edge or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of rolling stock modifications and vehicle integration projects.
Why Apply?
- Work on technically challenging and varied rolling stock projects.
- Join a respected engineering consultancy with a strong industry reputation.
- Be part of a collaborative and highly experienced engineering team.
- Influence project delivery and shape engineering best practice.
- Clear opportunity to contribute to the future development of the engineering function.
- Competitive salary, annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
This role would suit a Senior Design Engineer, Lead Engineer, Project Engineer, Technical Lead, or Engineering Team Leader looking to take the next step in their career within a dynamic and growing rail engineering environment.
Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock in Nottingham employer: GTS Group Ltd
Join a leading rail organisation in South London as a Rolling Stock Mechanical Fitter, where you will be part of a supportive engineering team dedicated to maintaining and enhancing fleet reliability and safety. With a competitive salary of up to £43,000 per annum, excellent training and development opportunities, and a positive work culture, this role offers a meaningful career path in the rail industry. Embrace the chance to work on critical rail fleets while enjoying a collaborative environment that values your skills and contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock in Nottingham
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock role you’re after at GTS Group Ltd.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at GTS Group Ltd a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at GTS Group Ltd.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock at GTS Group Ltd, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Lead Design Engineer - Rolling Stock, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at GTS Group Ltd a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to GTS Group Ltd specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at GTS Group Ltd
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with GTS Group Ltd, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like GTS Group Ltd want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
