At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical designs from concept to production in the marine sector.
- Company: Dynamic design team in Havant, focused on cutting-edge mechanical products.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to work on multidisciplinary projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Strong mechanical design experience and proficiency in 3D CAD, ideally Creo.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking a talented and experienced Senior Design Engineer to join a busy and multi-disciplinary design team in Havant. This is an excellent opportunity to work on innovative mechanical products within the marine sector, taking designs from concept through to production and supporting the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective solutions. The role will suit a hands-on mechanical design engineer with strong project management ability, a practical understanding of manufacturing processes, and experience delivering robust product designs that meet technical, commercial, and quality requirements.
You will play a key role in product development, design verification, and continuous improvement across a wide range of mechanical assemblies and systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Own product design from concept through to production release, ensuring designs are functional, manufacturable, and cost-effective.
- Develop and refine complex mechanical designs using advanced 3D CAD, ideally Creo.
- Provide technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and peer review within the design team.
- Lead or support projects through all stage gates, ensuring delivery on time and within cost.
- Implement engineering changes and design modifications using ECNs.
- Ensure designs are verified through appropriate testing and validation.
- Produce product and system test plans, and support prototype validation and design verification.
- Work cross-functionally with suppliers, managers, and third parties to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong mechanical design experience, ideally in a product development environment.
- Proven ability to develop product specifications and ensure designs meet performance, quality, and cost targets.
- Good knowledge of manufacturing processes including injection moulding, castings, sheet metal, extrusions, machining, fabrication, and electro-mechanical enclosures.
- Strong understanding of RCA, material selection, DFM, DFA, stress analysis, and FEA.
- Solid grasp of mechanical calculations, tolerance analysis, and drawing control.
- Highly proficient in 3D CAD and geometrical tolerancing.
- Experience designing mechanical systems such as steering, winch, windlass, or propulsion mechanisms would be highly advantageous.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners.
- Experience in NPD, NPI, VAVE, and managing multidisciplinary projects is highly desirable.
- Marine industry experience would be a plus, although transferable product design experience will also be considered.
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Havant employer: Holt Engineering
Join a well-established and rapidly expanding manufacturing business that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture. As an Area Sales Manager, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, excellent bonus structure, and comprehensive training, all while working in a dynamic environment that encourages personal and professional growth. With the opportunity to build long-term customer relationships across the South East, this role offers meaningful engagement and the chance to make a significant impact within the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Havant
✨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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Holt Engineering love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Holt Engineering 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 Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Havant
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 Holt Engineering and the Senior 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 Holt Engineering
✨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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Holt Engineering, making you a more appealing candidate.