At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative mechanical solutions for life-saving aerospace systems.
- Company: Join Martin-Baker, the world leader in ejection and crashworthy seats.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and a non-contributory pension.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by contributing to safety-critical aerospace engineering.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering and strong design experience required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Martin-Baker is the world’s leading manufacturer of ejection and crashworthy seats, saving over 7,805 lives to date. We combine cutting-edge engineering with a clear mission: protecting aircrew around the world. We are now recruiting a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Mechanical Engineering team at our Denham site.
The Role: As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for generating robust, compliant, and commercially viable mechanical designs across the full product lifecycle — from concept through development, qualification, production, and in-service support. You will play a key role in ensuring engineering outputs meet regulatory, customer, and internal requirements while optimising manufacturability, safety, and performance. You will also mentor junior engineers and work closely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality aerospace systems within demanding technical and commercial environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Check and approve engineering drawings and documents for correctness, functionality, and compliance with best practice
- Support Integrated Project Teams in defining and delivering all necessary engineering work for new and existing products
- Translate customer and regulatory requirements into robust engineering specifications
- Participate in trade studies to identify optimal, commercially viable design solutions
- Carry out performance and structural calculations using hand methods, spreadsheets, and FEA tools
- Produce top-level layouts, 3D models, and detailed engineering drawings
- Generate and maintain engineering documentation including BOMs, DFMEAs, load/stress reports, tolerance analyses, and CE technical files
- Support trial installations, customer visits, and design reviews
- Conduct clearance, interchangeability, retrofit, and modification analyses
- Identify and drive continual improvement opportunities across products and processes
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks to safety, performance, quality, and delivery
- Mentor and support junior engineers
About You: We are looking for an experienced, proactive, and technically strong Mechanical Engineer with a passion for safety-critical aerospace products.
Essential:
- Degree (1st or 2:1) in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- Strong experience in mechanical design within aerospace, defence, or regulated engineering environments
- Extensive experience using 3D CAD tools (e.g., NX) and producing high-quality engineering drawings
- Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and design for manufacture and assembly
- Experience conducting structural and performance calculations including FEA
- Knowledge of GD&T to UK/US standards
- Ability to produce and deliver technical reports and presentations
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound engineering judgement
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Desirable:
- Chartered Engineer or working towards CEng
- Experience with motion simulation tools (e.g., NX Motion, ADAMS)
- Knowledge of aerospace/defence standards (e.g., MIL-STD, Def Stan)
- Experience in CE certification
- Hands-on manufacturing or assembly experience
- Track record of innovative designs or patents
Benefits:
- 9% non-contributory pension (18+)
- Midday finish on Fridays
- 4x salary Life Assurance (18+)
- Personalised training & development plan
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Option to purchase additional annual leave
- Cycle to Work & nursery benefits
- Discounts via the Martin-Baker+ platform
Your Interview Journey:
- Initial Telephone Interview: A discussion with your Recruitment Business Partner
- First Stage Interview (Microsoft Teams): Structured technical interview with the Hiring Manager
- Final Stage Interview: Face-to-face interview
Why Join Us? At Martin-Baker, your work directly contributes to saving lives. You’ll be part of a collaborative, high-performance engineering environment working on safety-critical aerospace systems with real opportunities to make an impact. This role is subject to UK Government security clearance. Applicants must have the existing right to work in the UK and be currently residing in the UK.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Martin Baker
At Martin-Baker, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the aerospace sector, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in Denham. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our personalised training and development plans, alongside a strong focus on safety and innovation in engineering. With competitive benefits such as a non-contributory pension, generous holiday allowance, and a culture that values teamwork and mentorship, joining us means contributing to life-saving technology while advancing your career in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the aerospace and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Martin-Baker!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Martin-Baker’s projects and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their mission of saving lives through engineering. Practise answering common technical questions and be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your portfolio! Bring along examples of your previous mechanical designs, calculations, and any innovative projects you’ve worked on. This will help demonstrate your expertise and passion for safety-critical aerospace products.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Martin-Baker team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your experience in mechanical design, especially in aerospace or regulated environments, and showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about safety-critical aerospace products and how your background aligns with our mission at Martin-Baker. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with 3D CAD tools and any experience with FEA. We want to see how you can contribute to our engineering outputs, so be specific about your technical capabilities and achievements.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Martin Baker
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical design principles, especially in aerospace. Familiarise yourself with the latest regulations and standards relevant to the industry, as well as the specific technologies and tools mentioned in the job description, like 3D CAD and FEA.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, particularly those that highlight your problem-solving skills and innovative designs. Be ready to explain how you've mentored junior engineers and contributed to team success, as this role involves collaboration and leadership.
✨Ask Smart Questions
During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask insightful questions about the company’s current projects or challenges they face in the aerospace sector. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Conduct mock interviews with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing technical concepts and your experiences. Focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as communication is key in this role.
