At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to production in a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join a stable and growing business in the heart of Northampton.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and healthcare support.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for travel and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by owning projects and seeing your designs come to life.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and CAD experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
Impact Recruitment are working in partnership with a client based in the heart of Northampton to recruit for a Mechanical Design Engineer. This is a great opportunity to join a stable and growing business where you'll be working within an established team of engineers. Our client is open to all skill levels!
You will be responsible for the Full Lifecycle Development of products.
Location: Northampton
Salary: £30,000 - £50,000 (Dependent on Experience)
Job Type: Permanent | Full-Time
Hours: Monday to Friday day shift
This is not a purely production-based role. It is a design-led position within a manufacturing environment, ideal for an engineer who enjoys taking ownership of products from concept through to full-scale production. You will play a key role in shaping product design, ensuring manufacturability, and supporting successful delivery into production.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading end-to-end product development, from concept design through to production implementation
- Producing detailed designs using CAD (ideally Autodesk Inventor), with a strong focus on manufacturability
- Applying Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles at all stages of development
- Developing prototypes, conducting testing, and supporting validation and verification activities
- Designing jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids to support efficient production processes
- Acting as the key link between design and production, ensuring smooth transition into manufacturing
- Providing hands-on technical support on the shop floor, troubleshooting design and production issues
- Driving continuous improvement across both product design and manufacturing processes
- Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver products to specification
- Occasional UK and international travel as required
About You:
- A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent practical experience)
- Proven experience in product design and development within a manufacturing setting (minimum 2 years)
- Strong CAD capability (ideally Autodesk Inventor or similar)
- A solid understanding of engineering standards and structured product development processes
- Experience applying DFM/DFA principles in real-world applications
- The ability to balance design intent with practical production constraints
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally
- A hands-on, problem-solving mindset with a proactive approach
What's on Offer:
- Flexible working hours
- Hybrid working (Fridays)
- Early finish on Fridays
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Pension contribution (5%)
- Life assurance (4x salary)
- Healthcare support scheme
- Free refreshments on-site
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for a design-focused Production Engineer to join a forward-thinking business where design plays a critical role in manufacturing success. You will have genuine ownership of projects, influence over product development, and the opportunity to see your designs progress from concept through to reality.
Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Impact Recruitment Services
Contact Detail:
Impact Recruitment Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best design projects, prototypes, and any CAD work you've done. This visual evidence of your capabilities can really set you apart during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its products thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how your experience with DFM/DFA principles can benefit their design processes. Tailor your answers to show how you can contribute to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Mechanical Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Mechanical Design Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience, especially in product design and development, and don’t forget to mention your CAD skills. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about design engineering and how your background aligns with our needs. We love seeing enthusiasm and a bit of personality, so let us know what excites you about this opportunity.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any cool projects, make sure to mention them! Whether it's prototypes or designs that went into production, we want to see your hands-on experience. Include links or images if possible – it helps us visualise your work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right place. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Recruitment Services
✨Know Your CAD Tools
Make sure you brush up on your CAD skills, especially if you're familiar with Autodesk Inventor. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these tools and how they contributed to the design process.
✨Understand DFM and DFA Principles
Since this role emphasises Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), prepare examples of how you've applied these principles in past projects. This will show your potential employer that you can balance design intent with practical production constraints.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to share instances where you've tackled design or production issues. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you collaborated with teams to find effective solutions. This will demonstrate your proactive mindset.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you can convey complex engineering concepts to non-engineers, as you'll be acting as a link between design and production.