Senior or Principal Engineer - Subsea Dynamics & Analysis in Hexham

This position is offered by PDL, a subsidiary of Vulcain Engineering Group. At PDL Solutions, we are a specialist engineering consultancy providing advanced technical services across industries including energy, defence, marine, and beyond. Our teams apply expertise in areas such as fluid dynamics, structural analysis, pipe stress, and digital engineering to help clients design, optimise, and maintain complex systems.

As part of the Vulcain Engineering Group, we combine niche expertise with the resources and reach of a global organisation, giving our people opportunities to grow, collaborate, and make an impact on major projects worldwide. Our brilliant engineers and industry-renowned processes deliver quality and consistency.

The Position: We are seeking an innovative Senior or Principal Engineer (Subsea Dynamics & Analysis) to join our Hexham-based advanced analysis team, working on offshore, subsea, and marine energy projects. You will work closely within a multidisciplinary engineering group covering global dynamics, CFD, structural FEA, pipe stress, and naval architecture, leading advanced offshore and subsea projects, mentoring junior engineers, and driving innovation in dynamics modelling and analysis. The role is heavily focused on OrcaFlex, applied to complex marine systems and environments.

As a Senior or Principal Engineer (Subsea Dynamics & Analysis), some of your responsibilities will include:

• Determine work package requirements that lead to sound engineering solutions and prepare cost-effective quotations for clients.
• Lead and execute a broad range of complex engineering projects using advanced simulation techniques, primarily OrcaFlex, with exposure to ANSYS, FEA, and CFD as part of a multidisciplinary environment.
• Apply a strong understanding of hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, offshore environments and operations, and flexible products, including dynamic risers, umbilicals, and SURF systems.
• Manage projects to deliver high-quality outputs on time and within budget, working confidently with clients and internal stakeholders.
• Adhere to best practice to ensure simulation accuracy; including validation and verification of models and results, supported by hand calculations where appropriate and working in accordance with relevant industry standards and recommended practices.
• Prepare and present clear technical reports and presentations for both internal teams and external customers.
• Collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines, including FEA, CFD, and Digital teams, to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor and support less experienced engineers through technical reviews, training, and project guidance.
• Stay up to date with new analysis tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies, contributing to the ongoing development of simulation capability and ways of working within the organisation.

This role will play a key part in strengthening and growing our global dynamics capability, which has historically been delivered by a small number of senior specialists. You will have an opportunity to influence how we grow our technical capability, shape engineering standards, and be part of a team investing in the latest digital tools and analysis approaches.

This role can be appointed at Senior Engineer level (for those with the capability and confidence to progress towards Principal), or directly at Principal level for those already operating at that standard.

Candidate Profile: For this position, we’re looking for individuals who can bring the following:

• Degree (BEng/MEng/PhD) in Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• Experience undertaking global dynamic analysis simulations using OrcaFlex (or similar), with a solid understanding of offshore hydrodynamics.
• Familiarity with structural assessments using ANSYS (or similar) and hand calculations, underpinned by strong knowledge of structural mechanics and fluid dynamics.
• Proven experience in project leadership, technical delivery, and mentoring or reviewing the work of other engineers.
• Experience or ability to manage client-facing projects, including peer review of engineering documentation and clear technical communication.
• Exposure to advanced hydrodynamic behaviour (e.g. vortex-induced vibration) is desirable.
• It is an advantage to have experience from an engineering consultancy role, with involvement in R&D, method development, or flexible products - along with proficiency in scripting/automation (Python/MATLAB, or similar) - though this is not essential.
• Must be UK-based with unlimited right to work, due to the level of security clearance required for many of our projects.

Why Join Us? At PDL, you’ll work on a wide variety of projects; from water systems and HVAC assessments, to mixing solutions and reactor tanks - while helping shape how we use digital simulation, automation, and cutting-edge analysis techniques. With investments in the latest tools and powerful hardware, a compressed 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off), and hybrid working, this role offers both challenge and balance. As part of a collaborative, open culture and the wider Vulcain Engineering Group, you’ll have the chance to grow your expertise, influence the future of our CFD capability, and make an impact on major projects worldwide.

Benefits Package:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Sickness Pay
• 20 days holiday + all of the English bank holidays + Christmas shutdown
• Option to take 5 days unpaid leave
• Sabbatical scheme
• Company performance bonus
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Training & Development
• Employee referral scheme
• Employee assistance program

We appreciate every application. However, due to the volume we receive, we’re only able to contact candidates who are shortlisted for this role or who may be a strong fit for future opportunities.