At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop cutting-edge radar products using state-of-the-art technology.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in defence electronics with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and mentoring within a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace and defence while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in mechanical design required.
The predicted salary is between 44171 - 56000 £ per year.
Salary Range: Senior Engineer £44,171 - £56,000; Principal Engineer £53,269 - £62,000. Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.
Your impact: Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers systems for situational awareness, electronic defence and surveillance across land, sea and air. The Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business is uniquely positioned as one of the world's top designers, developers and manufacturers of radars, lasers and infrared countermeasure systems. At Edinburgh, we have an opportunity for Senior and Principal Mechanical Engineers to join our team, where your role will be to design, develop and support our world leading radar products. You will be utilising state-of-the-art methods, technology and tools to explore all aspects of the development lifecycle, including stress and thermal analysis, requirements analysis, design, implementation, test, build and production support. You will interface with customers (internal and external) on many factors within the design and liaise closely with Engineers from other disciplines, particularly Systems and Electronics. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and undertake training to enhance your capability within your role.
What you’ll bring:
- Design innovative, optimised engineering solutions taking into account all requirements such as product quality, safety, reliability and testability.
- Perform detailed mechanical design and development using 3D CAD software.
- Deliver design solutions against requirements, within budget and timescales.
- Mentor, develop and coach engineers in terms of technical knowledge and soft skills.
- Provide technical direction/support on critical business programmes to ensure delivery of mechanical engineering excellence.
- Present or support robust engineering solutions at design and peer reviews to ensure technical accuracy of specifications, designs and reports.
- Producing Manufacturing Data packs with appropriate use of GD&T.
- Actively contribute to Work Package delivery elements to achieve desired Quality, Schedule and Cost.
- Continue professional development throughout your career by formal training and keeping up to date with the latest developments, which may aid performance.
Essential Skills, Qualifications and Experience for Senior Mechanical Engineer:
- Hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related discipline), or possess equivalent relevant professional experience, where you have undertaken Mechanical design activity through the product lifecycle.
- Hold Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with the IMechE (or equivalent professional body), or be able to demonstrate the experience and UK-SPEC competencies required to achieve professional registration.
- Experience in the design of systems for highly regulated industries and for harsh environments, including but not limited to shock, vibration and temperature.
- Demonstrable proficiency in 3D CAD software (PTC Creo preferred), including modelling and drawing creation.
- Experience using ERP and PDM systems for configuration management and revision control (Teamcenter Unified preferred).
- Have the ability to perform first pass analysis with FEA and interpret Structural and Thermal analysis data.
Additional Essential Skills, Qualifications and Experience for Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Demonstrable experience leading and directing Mechanical design activity throughout the product lifecycle, including technical leadership of teams, projects and/or line management responsibilities.
- Experience in reviewing and approving the release of Mechanical designs and data packs in accordance with business and industry standards.
- Experience working within multi-disciplinary teams to deliver solutions that meet customer requirements and programme objectives.
- Experience managing engineering work packages and supporting product lifecycle activities, including planning, delivery and risk management.
- Experience mentoring, coaching and developing engineers at different stages of their careers.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with experience of presenting at design reviews.
- Be a Chartered Engineer with the IMechE or equivalent, or alternatively possess and be able to demonstrate that you have the required experience and UK-SPEC competencies necessary to obtain professional registration at Chartered level.
Security Clearance: This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC).
Why join us: At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh employer: Leonardo
Leonardo is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee experience and inclusion, offering a dynamic work culture in the heart of Edinburgh. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous leave policies, and comprehensive mental health support, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company fosters growth opportunities, ensuring that every team member can develop their skills and advance their careers in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh
✨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 Leonardo.
✨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 Leonardo love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Leonardo 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/Principal Mechanical Engineer in Edinburgh
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 Leonardo and the Senior/Principal Mechanical 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 Leonardo
✨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 Leonardo.
✨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 Leonardo.
✨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 Leonardo, making you a more appealing candidate.
