At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative electro-optical products for drones.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing tech company with a passion for exceptional engineering.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment in beautiful Northumberland with excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence innovation while solving complex mechanical challenges.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in product design.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 84000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and development of world-leading electro-optical products used in autonomous tracking and drone interception systems. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys solving complex mechanical challenges with creativity, rigour and teamwork. You’ll take ownership across the full product lifecycle - from initial concepts and CAD modelling to verification, testing and iteration - working closely with our electronics and software teams to bring new products to life.
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.
Our benefits:
- Salary from £70k depending upon experience
- Flexible working options available
- Relocation package available (within UK only)
- Performance related bonus
- 25 days holiday plus public holidays (+ long-service bonus days)
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Free breakfast and a free freshly cooked lunch served daily
- Private health care insurance
- Death in service cover
- EV car scheme
- Pension scheme (matched employer contribution)
- Social fund for team gatherings
- Free eye tests and £75 towards a pair of glasses per prescription change
- A high-energy and agile work environment, based in the beautiful Northumberland countryside
- A positive company culture
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead the design, development, verification and implementation of technically innovative and commercially competitive new products
- Take ownership of the maintenance and improvement of existing products to enhance quality, improve production efficiency and reduce costs
- Produce and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including CAD drawings, design calculations, BOMs, costing data and test reports
- Mentor and support other mechanical engineers, helping to grow skills and uphold engineering best practice across the team
- Set and monitor engineering standards, ensuring consistent processes and high-quality output across projects
- Attend and contribute to design reviews across the full product portfolio
- Multi-task effectively, balancing your own design and development work with supporting others and reviewing wider project work
- Quickly develop fluency in Autodesk Inventor and OpenWorks’ design and documentation practices
What we’re looking for:
- A 2:1 or higher degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Significant professional experience in product design and development, ideally in a complex, high-spec environment
- Expertise in 3D CAD (preferably Autodesk Inventor) and FEA (ideally Ansys)
- Excellent attention to detail
- Skilled in creative problem solving and structured engineering processes
- Able to manage time effectively and work autonomously
- Comfortable mentoring others and contributing to a positive, collaborative engineering environment
- Strong self-awareness and adaptable to fast-changing R&D demands
- Experience working to tight deadlines
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Part Time (Part Time) in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: OpenWorks Engineering
OpenWorks is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and flexible work environment in the stunning Northumberland countryside. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide opportunities for mentorship, a performance-related bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes private healthcare and generous holiday allowances. Our positive company culture fosters innovation and teamwork, making it an ideal place for passionate engineers to thrive while contributing to cutting-edge defence technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer - Part Time (Part Time) in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who might know someone at OpenWorks. A personal introduction can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best mechanical design projects, especially those that highlight your experience with CAD and problem-solving. Bring it along to interviews to impress the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your experiences! During interviews, be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in product design and how you tackled them. This shows your hands-on approach and creativity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the OpenWorks team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer - Part Time (Part Time) in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for mechanical engineering shine through! We want to see how excited you are about tackling complex challenges and contributing to innovative products.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product design and development. We’re looking for someone who can lead the charge, so showcase your skills in CAD modelling and any hands-on projects you've tackled.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past work that align with our mission and values, and don’t forget to mention your teamwork spirit!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at OpenWorks!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenWorks Engineering
✨Know Your CAD Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Autodesk Inventor before the interview. Brush up on your CAD skills and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve used it. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the software, but that you can leverage it to solve complex mechanical challenges.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled tough engineering problems in the past. Think about situations where you had to be creative and rigorous. This is a hands-on role, so demonstrating your ability to think outside the box will really impress them.
✨Understand Defence Standards
Familiarise yourself with the relevant Defence Standards for testing and verification. Being able to speak knowledgeably about these standards will show that you’re serious about the role and understand the importance of compliance in product development.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Mentorship
Since this role involves mentoring other engineers, be prepared to discuss your experience in team settings. Highlight times when you’ve supported colleagues or contributed to a collaborative environment. They want to see that you can lead while also being a team player.
