At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver innovative products from concept to manufacture using cutting-edge 3D CAD software.
- Company: Join a well-established UK manufacturer with a strong international presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, 25 days leave, and a focus on personal development await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact in product design while mentoring junior engineers in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical design, 3D CAD skills, and a degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
- Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
- Carterton, Oxfordshire
- £53,000 - £60,000 Per Annum + £8,000 Bonus + Excellent Benefits! (See Below)
We at JKR are supporting a well-established UK manufacturer with a strong international presence, designing, developing and manufacturing a wide range of innovative products!
We are recruiting for an experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, who will be responsible for the design and delivery of complete products and product sub-systems, from initial concept through to volume manufacture.
The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Role
- Work with Product Management and other members of the Research and Development team to write clear and sufficient Product Brief documents, setting out the requirements and scope of new product developments
- Design overall product architectures, platforms and interfaces to ensure that the requirements of each Product Brief can be met
- Ensure individual designs align with the wider engineering strategy, maximising design re-use and minimising future sustaining engineering requirements
- Identify design risks and perform feasibility studies and theoretical analysis as necessary to quantify and minimise these risks early in the design process
- Perform detailed design of individual parts using 3D CAD software, for both in-house manufacture and external suppliers
- Integrate parts designed by other team members into complete systems, taking overall responsibility for the performance of the complete assembly
- Perform detailed analysis of proposed designs to ensure they meet design objectives across the full range of operating conditions and manufacturing tolerances
- Work with the Production Engineering team, toolmakers and external suppliers to ensure that parts are Designed For Manufacture (DFM), ensuring high quality, low cost, vendor independence and high repeatability of processing
- Create full documentation packages for all parts and assemblies, including 2D drawings for critical dimensions and tolerances, data sheets and regulatory information
- Create prototypes using rapid prototyping techniques and production-ready parts
- Test prototypes against documented requirements, both as sub-systems and when integrated into complete functional prototypes
- Create clear written test reports and action plans to resolve any issues identified
- Keep up to date with relevant technologies and techniques, identifying opportunities to develop or invest in new technologies and design approaches
- Ensure that all designs are implemented and tested rigorously, in line with the company's ISO 9001 quality processes and the safety-critical nature of the products
- Consider potential failure modes for products in real-life situations, including performing full or partial FMEA
- Ensure that all defects and issues are systematically recorded, tracked and resolved
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Ideal Candidate
- Hands-on experience designing multiple products, ideally for high volume / mass production, covering the complete process from initial concept through to volume manufacturing
- Experience taking technical ownership of complete products, assemblies or product sub-systems
- 3D CAD skills, ideally Solid Works, although experience with other systems will be considered if willing to learn Solid Works
- Graduate in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics OR equivalent experience
- Strong understanding of dimensions, tolerancing and mechanical assemblies
- Experience with plastic injection-moulded parts would be advantageous
- Confident with mathematics and theoretical analysis of mechanical and fluid systems (desirable)
- Able to guide and mentor junior team members on technical topics
- Committed to ongoing learning and self-development
- Able to work independently, but also collaborate effectively within a team
- Able to operate confidently and communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation, both verbally and in writing
- Excellent attention to detail
- Completer finisher mindset
This is a senior technical position rather than a traditional team management role, so the successful candidate will remain heavily involved in hands-on design and product delivery while providing technical guidance to more junior engineers.
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Working Hours & Benefits
- Standard: 9:00am-5:00pm Monday to Thursday, 9:00am-4:30pm on Fridays
- Flexible working by prior agreement with management, with core hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm on all five days, 34.5 hours total per week
- Bonus schemes
- 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
- Employer matched pension scheme
- Death in Service scheme
- Training & Development - Career / Personal Development Plan
- Employee discounts platform (Perkbox)
- 'We Care' well-being programme
- Cycle-to-work scheme
Jackie Kerr Recruitment is an independent agency that has been established for 28 years.
We strive to provide the ultimate consultancy service to all our candidates.
Whether you are looking for permanent or temporary work we pride ourselves in understanding our candidates' requirements to ensure that we place you in your ideal role.
We have recently heavily invested in new Recruitment Software that provides an online portal.
Simply visit jackiekerrrecruitment . com to enter your details and you will receive job alerts, hot off the press.
The portal enables you to update your information and CV at any time, so we always have your latest employment details on record.
So please visit our website and let us help you to find your dream job!
Please note: At Jackie Kerr Recruitment we receive a huge number of applications for each job that is posted.
If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of your original application, please go to our website jackiekerrrecruitment . com to apply for other jobs that may be suitable to you
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in Carterton employer: Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers
As a leading manufacturer in the automotive and motorcycle industries, our company offers a dynamic work environment in Witney where innovation thrives. We prioritise employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, fostering a collaborative culture that encourages creativity and problem-solving. With competitive salaries and a commitment to work-life balance, we provide a rewarding career path for Mechanical Design Engineers looking to make a significant impact in high-performance engineering.
Contact Details:
Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in Carterton
✨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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers.
✨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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers 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 in Carterton
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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers 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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers
✨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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers.
✨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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers.
✨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 Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd Careers, making you a more appealing candidate.
