At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative mechanical solutions from concept to manufacture using SolidWorks.
- Company: Join a reputable engineering firm focused on safety-critical products.
- Benefits: Up to £55,000 salary, hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and pension contributions.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of projects and see your designs come to life in real-world applications.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in mechanical design and strong 3D CAD skills required.
Location: Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Commutable from: Huntingdon, Cambridge, Peterborough, St Neots, Bedford, Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Northampton, Biggleswade and surrounding areas.
Salary: Up to £55,000 + Benefits
Hybrid Working Available
Our client is a specialist engineering business with a long-established reputation for developing lightweight, safety-critical products for a high-regulation industry. Their solutions are used by leading OEM's manufacturers and operators across the UK and internationally, helping to improve safety, efficiency and passenger experience.
Due to continued growth and investment, they are looking to appoint a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their Engineering team at their Huntingdon Manufacturing HQ. This role is a hands-on opportunity to take ownership of projects from concept through to manufacture, working closely with customers, suppliers and production teams to develop innovative and practical engineering solutions.
You will be involved throughout the full product lifecycle, supporting new product development, refurbishment programmes, reverse engineering activities and continuous product improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, manufacturing drawings and technical documentation using SolidWorks
- Take ownership of engineering projects from concept through to manufacture
- Develop practical engineering solutions to customer requirements
- Support new product development, redesign and reverse engineering activities
- Design jigs, fixtures and tooling to support manufacturing and assembly processes
- Design fabricated and manufactured components including sheet metal fabrications, machined components, aluminium structures, extrusions and welded assemblies
- Support engineering calculations, validation activities and design reviews
- Participate in customer meetings, design reviews and technical discussions
- Work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical and manufacturable
- Apply Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles
- Support engineering change activities and continuous improvement projects
- Provide technical support and guidance to colleagues across the Engineering team
Requirements:
- Proven Mechanical Design Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment
- Strong 3D CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks
- Experience delivering projects from concept through to manufacture
- Experience designing fabricated and manufactured components and assemblies
- Knowledge of sheet metal fabrication, machining, welding and assembly processes
- Experience designing jigs, fixtures and tooling
- Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Ability to produce detailed engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Experience working to recognised engineering codes, standards, specifications and quality requirements
- Understanding of engineering verification, validation and design review processes
- Strong communication, organisational and problem-solving skills
- Experience working directly with customers, suppliers and manufacturing teams
Desirable:
- FEA and engineering calculations
- Product validation and testing
- GD&T / Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing / BS88888
- Experience mentoring or supporting junior engineers
- Experience working within Aerospace, Defence, Automotive, Medical Devices, Nuclear or other regulated engineering sectors
What's In It For You?
- Ownership of projects from concept through to manufacture
- Exposure to a diverse range of technically challenging engineering projects
- Direct collaboration with customers, suppliers and manufacturing teams
- Opportunity to influence product development and continuous improvement activities
- Genuine long-term career development opportunities
- Potential progression into Technical Leadership, Project Leadership or Engineering Management
- The opportunity to join a growing engineering business where engineering remains central to future success
Package:
- Salary up to £55,000
- 25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Employer Pension Contribution
- Hybrid Working Available
- 37.5 Hour Working Week
- Ongoing Training and Development
If you’re an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer looking for a role that combines technical challenge, project ownership and the opportunity to see your designs brought to life, we’d like to hear from you.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Huntingdon employer: Progressive Recruitment
As a leading engineering organisation in the nuclear infrastructure sector, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises safety and engineering excellence. Our Glasgow location offers a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility while engaging in complex, meaningful projects that contribute to employee growth and development. We are committed to providing our team with opportunities for professional advancement, mentorship, and continuous improvement, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a significant impact in their field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Huntingdon
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Progressive Recruitment.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Progressive Recruitment love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Progressive Recruitment and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Progressive Recruitment and the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Progressive Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Progressive Recruitment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Progressive Recruitment.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Progressive Recruitment, making you a more appealing candidate.