Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hudson Shribman

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of cutting-edge electromechanical actuator systems from concept to production.
  • Company: Market-leading British engineering firm with a focus on innovation and excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of actuator technologies.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while working on challenging and innovative projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in mechanical design, particularly with precision actuators and complex mechanisms.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Design the next generation of precision actuator systems. We're recruiting on behalf of a market-leading British engineering and manufacturing business with decades of experience designing and manufacturing high-performance electromechanical actuator systems for demanding, safety-critical applications around the world. As investment continues across new product development and engineering innovation, they are looking to appoint an experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to take technical ownership of complex actuator development programmes. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Senior or Lead Mechanical Design Engineer looking to step into a Principal Engineering position where you'll influence future product development whilst remaining hands-on with engineering design.

The Opportunity

You'll lead the design and development of precision electromechanical actuators, mechanisms and moving assemblies, taking projects from initial concept through prototype development, testing and manufacture. Working alongside multidisciplinary engineering teams, you'll provide technical leadership, mentor fellow engineers and help shape the future direction of innovative actuator technologies. If you enjoy solving complex engineering problems involving precision mechanisms, motion systems and high-performance mechanical assemblies, this role offers genuine technical challenge and long-term career progression.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and development of precision electromechanical actuator systems.
  • Design complex mechanisms, moving assemblies and precision engineered components.
  • Manage technical development projects from concept through prototype, validation and manufacture.
  • Produce innovative engineering solutions for next-generation products.
  • Create, review and approve engineering drawings and technical documentation.
  • Support qualification, testing and product validation activities.
  • Conduct design reviews, engineering calculations and tolerance analysis.
  • Work closely with manufacturing to ensure designs are optimised for production.
  • Provide technical support to suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders.
  • Mentor and support engineers across the wider engineering team.
  • Drive continuous improvement in engineering standards, tools and processes.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong background in designing complex mechanical or electromechanical products. You'll ideally have experience with:

  • Precision actuators or actuation systems.
  • Precision mechanisms and moving assemblies.
  • Mechanical transmission systems.
  • Bearings, lubrication and tight tolerance design.
  • Mechanical product development.
  • High-performance mechanical assemblies.
  • 3D CAD (Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, NX or similar).
  • GD&T and engineering drawing standards.
  • Product development from concept through manufacture.

You'll also enjoy taking technical ownership, mentoring engineers and solving challenging engineering problems.

Backgrounds We'll Consider

We're keen to hear from engineers with experience in:

  • Aerospace
  • Defence
  • Robotics
  • Motion Control
  • Medical Devices
  • Scientific Instrumentation
  • Automation
  • Precision Engineering
  • Special Purpose Machinery
  • High-performance Mechanical Systems

Previous actuator design experience would be highly advantageous. Candidates who have designed complex mechanisms, servo systems or other precision motion products are also encouraged to apply. Aerospace experience is welcomed but is not essential.

Why Join?

Engineering sits at the heart of this business. You'll become one of the senior technical specialists responsible for developing innovative actuator technologies used in demanding engineering environments. You'll work on genuinely challenging projects, influence future product design and collaborate with highly experienced engineers within a stable and growing organisation that continues to invest in research, development and engineering excellence.

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Hudson Shribman

Join a dynamic engineering and R&D team as a Project Engineer in Hydraulics, where you will be at the forefront of delivering advanced industrial equipment. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and hands-on problem-solving. Located in the South East, this role provides unique opportunities for international travel and direct customer engagement, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Hudson Shribman

Contact Details:

Hudson Shribman Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

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 Hudson Shribman.

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 Hudson Shribman love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Hudson Shribman 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 Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineering
Electromechanical Systems
Precision Actuators
3D CAD (Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, NX)
GD&T and Engineering Drawing Standards
Project Management
Technical Leadership

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 Hudson Shribman and the Principal 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 Hudson Shribman

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 Hudson Shribman.

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 Hudson Shribman.

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 Hudson Shribman, making you a more appealing candidate.