Chief Design Engineer in Cheltenham

Chief Design Engineer in Cheltenham

Cheltenham Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Matchtech Mobility

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative aerospace design for cutting-edge UAS programmes and collaborate with diverse technical teams.
  • Company: Leading aerospace company focused on innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Permanent role, professional development, supportive environment, and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work on exciting projects and grow within a talented team.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of aerospace technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong aerospace engineering background and experience in aircraft design.

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

Our client, operating in the aerospace sector, is currently seeking a Chief Design Engineer to join their team on a permanent basis. This role carries the internal Chief Designer badge and is aimed at providing senior aerospace design authority for the flagship stratospheric UAS programme, while also supporting other ongoing and future customer programmes and internal productisation avenues.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead or heavily contribute to airframe and platform design for the flagship stratospheric UAS programme
  • Support aircraft configuration, layout, structures, mass properties, performance, and integration decisions
  • Contribute to other customer programmes and internal productisation routes where aerospace design input is needed
  • Work closely with technical teams across avionics, flight control, operations, software, productisation, and test
  • Provide senior design judgement during trade studies, design reviews, and technical decisions
  • Own or contribute to CAD, drawings, design rationale, configuration records, and engineering release packs
  • Support design-for-manufacture, maintainability, operations, and field support
  • Help resolve design issues during build, integration, ground test, and flight test

Job Requirements:

  • Strong aerospace engineering background
  • Experience designing aircraft, UAS, UAVs, air vehicles, or similar aerospace systems
  • Strong mechanical, structural, aerodynamic, and integration judgement
  • Experience with CAD, drawings, design documentation, and configuration control
  • Understanding of mass properties, airframe integration, manufacturing constraints, and system integration
  • Hands-on engineering mindset
  • Flexibility to help shape team processes and engineering culture during a growth/facilities transition

Desirable Experience:

  • Experience with fixed-wing, VTOL, hybrid UAS, HAPS, or stratospheric platforms
  • Knowledge of lightweight structures, composites, advanced manufacturing, and rapid prototyping
  • Understanding of aerodynamic analysis, performance modelling, flight-test support, or flight data interpretation
  • Use of advanced simulation and optimisation tools
  • Familiarity with aviation safety, airworthiness, certification, or regulated design environments
  • Experience in building design processes, review discipline, and engineering standards in a growing team

Benefits:

  • Permanent role within a leading aerospace company
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge aerospace projects
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Supportive and collaborative work environment
  • Comprehensive employee benefits package

If you are a seasoned aerospace engineer with a passion for design and innovation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's dynamic and talented team.

Chief Design Engineer in Cheltenham employer: Matchtech Mobility

Join a leading manufacturing company in Cwmbran as a Test & Certification Engineer, where you will be part of a dynamic and collaborative team dedicated to innovation and compliance. With a strong commitment to employee growth, the company offers ongoing learning opportunities, competitive benefits, and a focus on health and safety, ensuring a rewarding work environment. Embrace challenging projects that not only enhance your skills but also contribute to improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability in the industry.

Matchtech Mobility

Contact Details:

Matchtech Mobility Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Design Engineer in Cheltenham

Join Aerospace Forums and Groups

Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.

Spotlight Your Projects

Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!

Apply Directly on Company Websites

When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Matchtech Mobility for a Chief Design Engineer. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Design Engineer in Cheltenham

Aerospace Engineering
Airframe Design
UAS Design
Mechanical Engineering
Structural Engineering
Aerodynamic Analysis
CAD Proficiency

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Matchtech Mobility, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!

Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.

Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Matchtech Mobility, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.

Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Matchtech Mobility

Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge

Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Matchtech Mobility.

Showcase Your Projects with Confidence

Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Technical Interviews

Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Matchtech Mobility. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.

Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills

As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Matchtech Mobility love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.