Senior Design Engineer in Southampton

Senior Design Engineer in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 55000 - 75000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
NPAworldwide

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and deliver innovative marine technology for a sustainable future.
  • Company: Fast-growing maritime tech company focused on climate-impact solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible benefits, relocation support, and travel opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with high ownership and growth potential.
  • Why this job: Join a mission-driven team making a real difference in global shipping.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical/Structural/Marine Engineering with 5-10 years of design experience.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 ÂŁ per year.

Location: Southampton hybrid, 3 days per week on-site

Salary: 55-75K plus excellent benefits package (flexible especially for Mandarin speaking candidates)

Travel: This role requires travel to a manufacturing plant in China estimated at around 1 week per quarter plus supplier visits. All travel is planned in advance. Relocation package and Visa/Sponsorship support is available for this role if required.

About The Opportunity

Our client is a fast-growing maritime technology business developing wind-assisted propulsion systems that help reduce fuel consumption and emissions across global shipping. They are now looking to appoint a Senior Design Engineer to join their growing engineering team. This is a hands‑on role with broad involvement across the design lifecycle, from concept development through to detailed design, manufacturing release, and operational hardware. Working closely with the Head of Engineering, you will take ownership of key subsystems, helping to deliver designs that are robust, manufacturable, cost‑effective, and ready for production. This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission‑driven business developing real climate‑impact technology in a highly innovative environment.

Role & Responsibilities

As Senior Design Engineer, you will own the design and delivery of assigned subsystems, ensuring they are manufacturable, production‑ready, and aligned with performance, cost, and delivery requirements.

Responsibilities Will Include:

  • Owning the mechanical design and delivery of subsystems from concept through to manufacturing release.
  • Producing 3D models, manufacturing drawings, and supporting calculations.
  • Owning manufacturability and production readiness of assigned subsystems.
  • Applying manufacturing knowledge to improve design standards, manufacturability, and cost.
  • Leading rapid resolution of design issues arising from manufacturing and supplier feedback.
  • Owning the engineering interface with international suppliers, ensuring timely progress toward delivery.
  • Guiding and reviewing work from more junior engineers to support quality and delivery.
  • Championing high standards of engineering integrity, safety, and sustainability.

Qualifications Key Requirements

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical / Structural / Marine Engineer with strong expertise in mechanical design for production, manufacturability, and subsystem delivery in a demanding engineering environment.

You Should Bring:

  • Degree qualification in Mechanical, Structural, or Marine Engineering.
  • Around 5-10 years hands‑on experience designing mechanical systems in a production environment.
  • Proven ability to deliver designs from concept through to production within marine, wind, offshore, or similar sectors.
  • Strong proficiency in Siemens NX, Inventor, or equivalent 3D CAD tools.
  • Experience working with fabrication, welding, or large structural assemblies.
  • Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles.
  • Proven experience driving cost reduction and improving manufacturability.
  • Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, high‑accountability environment.
  • Experience with class or certification requirements, such as DNV or LR.
  • Whilst not essential, full or partial fluency in Mandarin would be of particular interest.

Desirable Experience Includes:

  • Knowledge of structural testing, validation, and manufacturing techniques.

You Will Also Bring:

  • Strong practical engineering judgement.
  • High attention to detail.
  • The ability to balance creative design with engineering rigour.
  • A proactive, curious, and improvement‑focused mindset.
  • The confidence to thrive in a startup‑style engineering environment.

Why Is This a Great Opportunity

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to join a business developing real‑world clean technology for the global shipping market.

You Will Benefit From:

  • Working on real climate‑impact hardware.
  • High levels of ownership within a small engineering team.
  • Broad exposure from concept through to production.
  • The opportunity to grow with the business as the technology scales.
  • A collaborative, innovative, and mission‑led environment.

Salary Type: Annual Salary

Salary Min: ÂŁ 55000

Salary Max: ÂŁ 75000

Currency Type: GBP

Senior Design Engineer in Southampton employer: NPAworldwide

Join a fast-growing maritime technology business in Southampton, where you'll play a pivotal role as a Senior Design Engineer in developing innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems that significantly reduce emissions in global shipping. Enjoy a collaborative and mission-driven work culture, with high levels of ownership, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a real impact on climate change while working alongside a talented engineering team. With excellent benefits, including flexible arrangements and support for relocation, this is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to thrive in a dynamic environment.
NPAworldwide

Contact Detail:

NPAworldwide Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Design Engineer in Southampton

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the maritime tech industry or related fields. Attend events, webinars, and meetups to get your name out there and learn about potential job openings.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best design projects, especially those that highlight your experience with mechanical systems and production. This will give you an edge when chatting with potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of DFMA principles. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled design challenges in the past and how you can contribute to their mission-driven goals.

✨Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and interests. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our innovative team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Design Engineer in Southampton

Mechanical Design
3D Modelling
Manufacturing Drawings
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA)
Siemens NX
Inventor
Cost Reduction
Structural Engineering
Welding
Large Structural Assemblies
Engineering Judgement
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience in mechanical design, especially in production environments, and showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your skills in 3D CAD tools like Siemens NX or Inventor.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about climate-impact technology and how your background aligns with our mission. Don’t forget to mention any experience you have with marine or offshore sectors!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight specific examples where you've resolved design issues or improved manufacturability. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet and drive cost reductions while maintaining high standards.

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 don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!

How to prepare for a job interview at NPAworldwide

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your mechanical design principles and be ready to discuss your experience with 3D CAD tools like Siemens NX or Inventor. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've tackled design challenges in the past, especially in a production environment.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Since this role involves leading the resolution of design issues, think of a few scenarios where you successfully navigated challenges. Highlight your ability to work with suppliers and how you’ve improved manufacturability and cost-effectiveness in your designs.

✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit

This position requires guiding junior engineers, so be ready to talk about your leadership style. Share experiences where you’ve mentored others or collaborated within a team to achieve project goals, showcasing your proactive and improvement-focused mindset.

✨Cultural Fit Matters

Since the company is mission-driven, express your passion for clean technology and sustainability. If you have any knowledge of Mandarin, don’t hesitate to mention it, as it could set you apart. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a chance to make a real impact.

Senior Design Engineer in Southampton
NPAworldwide
Location: Southampton

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