Principal Design Engineer

Principal Design Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Prospectus IT Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems for sustainable shipping.
  • Company: Fast-growing maritime tech company focused on climate impact.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and hands-on leadership opportunities.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in clean technology while owning your designs.
  • Qualifications: Degree in engineering and 5-10 years of marine structure design experience.

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

Work on real climate-impact engineering. We’re hiring a Principal Design Engineer to join a fast-growing maritime technology company developing wind-assisted propulsion systems that reduce fuel consumption and emissions across global shipping. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll own key subsystems from concept through to production.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Lead mechanical and structural design of critical subsystems
  • Own wing geometry development - balancing performance + manufacturability
  • Develop and manage load cases (real-world + classification)
  • Translate requirements into robust, production-ready designs
  • Perform and oversee FEA + structural analysis
  • Act as technical lead with classification societies (DNV, LR etc.)
  • Be the go-to expert for stress & fatigue analysis
  • Support and mentor junior engineers

What you’ll need:

  • Degree in Naval / Mechanical / Structural / Marine Engineering
  • 5-10 years designing marine structures (classification-approved)
  • Strong 3D CAD (NX, Inventor or similar)
  • Solid FEA + hand calculations experience
  • Experience with DNV, LR, NK or similar
  • Strong understanding of DFMA & structural integrity

Bonus points if you have:

  • Fatigue, buckling, or large welded structures experience
  • Exposure to aero-structures or performance-led design
  • Structural testing & validation experience

Why this role stands out:

  • Work on real clean-tech hardware
  • Join a scaling engineering business
  • Own designs from concept to production
  • Genuine career progression as the company grows

Principal Design Engineer employer: Prospectus IT Recruitment

Join a pioneering maritime technology company dedicated to making a tangible impact on climate change through innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems. As a Principal Design Engineer, you will thrive in a collaborative and dynamic work culture that prioritises hands-on leadership and mentorship, offering you the chance to lead critical design projects from concept to production. With a strong focus on employee growth and genuine career progression, this role provides a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful clean-tech solutions while advancing your professional journey in a fast-growing industry.
Prospectus IT Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Prospectus IT Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors that applications alone can’t.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your skills in real-time! Consider creating a portfolio of your design projects or even a presentation on your approach to engineering challenges. This gives us a tangible way to see your expertise.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s projects and values. We want to see your passion for clean-tech and how you can contribute to our mission of reducing emissions in shipping.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer

Mechanical Design
Structural Design
Wing Geometry Development
Load Case Management
FEA (Finite Element Analysis)
Stress Analysis
Fatigue Analysis
3D CAD (NX, Inventor or similar)
DFMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly)
Classification Society Standards (DNV, LR, NK)
Mentoring and Leadership
Real-World Engineering Application
Clean-Tech Hardware Development
Production-Ready Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Climate Impact: When writing your application, let us know why you're excited about working on real climate-impact engineering. Share your thoughts on how your skills can contribute to reducing fuel consumption and emissions in global shipping.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to showcase your experience in designing marine structures and any work with classification societies like DNV or LR. We want to see how your background aligns with the hands-on leadership role we're offering.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills in mechanical and structural design, as well as your proficiency with 3D CAD tools. We appreciate a well-structured application!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our fast-growing maritime technology company.

How to prepare for a job interview at Prospectus IT Recruitment

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of marine structures and the specific technologies used in wind-assisted propulsion systems. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role, especially any experience with classification societies like DNV or LR.

✨Showcase Your Design Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience with 3D CAD software, particularly NX or Inventor. Bring examples of your previous designs, focusing on how you balanced performance and manufacturability. This is a hands-on role, so demonstrating your practical skills will be key.

✨Be a Team Player

Since this role involves mentoring junior engineers, think about how you can showcase your leadership style. Share examples of how you've supported team members in the past and how you approach collaboration in design projects.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to dive deep into FEA and structural analysis during the interview. Brush up on your hand calculations and be ready to explain your thought process when developing load cases. Showing confidence in your technical expertise will help you stand out.

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