At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical projects and solve real-world engineering challenges in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join a growing British engineering firm specialising in steering and hydraulic components.
- Benefits: Enjoy autonomy, career growth, and the chance to shape future engineering capabilities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to work on next-gen automotive systems.
- Why this job: Be the senior technical authority and work with top OEMs and global manufacturers.
- Qualifications: HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering and strong problem-solving skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34200 - 41800 £ per year.
Become the technical lead for a growing British engineering business. PSS is a specialist manufacturer and remanufacturer of steering, driveline and hydraulic components, supplying OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, global vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket distributors, defence organisations and industrial customers worldwide. As part of our continued growth and long‑term succession planning, we are looking for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to become the senior technical authority within our engineering function. This is a hands‑on technical engineering role rather than a traditional management position. We are looking for someone who enjoys understanding how products work, investigating why they fail and developing practical solutions to repair, improve, reverse engineer or redesign them.
The Role
- You will provide technical leadership across our growing remanufacturing operation and established manufacturing activities, working closely with Manufacturing, Remanufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales and Production.
- Your work will be varied and could see you investigating a failed steering or hydraulic component one day, developing a new remanufacturing process the next, and designing a bespoke mechanical product in SolidWorks shortly afterwards.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Providing day‑to‑day technical support across manufacturing and remanufacturing
- Investigating component failures and leading root‑cause and warranty investigations
- Developing repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing methods for new product lines
- Reverse engineering obsolete or unsupported mechanical components
- Designing hydraulic cylinders, steering columns, steering pumps and bespoke mechanical products using SolidWorks
- Producing 3D models, manufacturing drawings, Bills of Materials and engineering documentation
- Carrying out engineering calculations including force, stress, torque, flow and power
- Supporting prototype manufacture, testing and product validation
- Advising on machining methods, materials, heat treatments, coatings and manufacturing processes
- Developing test methods, fixtures and engineering processes
- Supporting new OEM and customer remanufacturing programmes
- Working directly with OEM engineering teams, customers and suppliers to develop technical solutions
- Maintaining engineering drawings, technical standards and configuration control
- Helping develop our capability in electronically controlled automotive products, including electric power steering systems
What We're Looking For
We are primarily interested in finding an experienced, practical mechanical engineer with strong engineering fundamentals and excellent problem‑solving ability. You should have:
- HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical engineering experience
- Significant mechanical engineering experience within manufacturing, automotive, hydraulics, off‑highway, defence, heavy engineering or a related sector
- Strong SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD experience
- Experience designing mechanical or hydraulic components for manufacture
- A good understanding of CNC machining, fabrication and assembly processes
- Strong knowledge of engineering drawings and geometric tolerancing
- Good knowledge of materials, heat treatments, coatings and surface finishes
- A practical understanding of hydraulic systems and mechanical power transmission
- The confidence to work directly with customers, suppliers, production teams and OEM engineers
Experience in remanufacturing, overhaul, repair engineering, steering systems, hydraulic cylinders, pumps, driveline components or reverse engineering would be particularly valuable. An appreciation of automotive electronics, PCBs or electronically controlled automotive systems would also be advantageous as we continue to develop our electronic repair and remanufacturing capabilities.
The Person
This role will suit someone who is naturally curious about mechanical systems and enjoys solving real engineering problems. You will be equally comfortable working in SolidWorks, discussing a technical solution with an OEM customer and working alongside machinists and technicians on the shop floor. Previous management experience is not essential. We are much more interested in finding an experienced engineer with strong technical judgement, a practical approach and the ability to become a trusted technical authority within the business.
Why Join PSS?
This is a long‑term technical leadership appointment with significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future engineering capability of PSS. You will:
- Become the senior technical authority within the business
- Work directly with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and global vehicle manufacturers
- Work across an exceptionally broad range of steering, hydraulic and driveline products
- Develop new products as well as solve complex real‑world engineering problems
- Play a key role in expanding our remanufacturing capabilities
- Work across both established mechanical technology and next‑generation automotive systems
- Join a financially stable and growing British engineering company investing in its future
- Have the opportunity to broaden your responsibilities and become a key member of the company’s senior leadership team as the business continues to grow
If you're an experienced mechanical engineer who enjoys designing, investigating, reverse engineering and solving problems rather than simply managing an engineering department, we'd like to hear from you.
Principal Mechanical Engineer in North Walsham employer: PSS
At PSS, we pride ourselves on being a compassionate employer dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering a supportive work environment. Our commitment to professional development ensures that as a support worker in Liverpool, you will have ample opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. With a strong focus on inclusion and community engagement, working with us means being part of a team that truly values heart, integrity, and the power of positive change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in North Walsham
✨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 PSS.
✨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 PSS love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of PSS 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 Principal Mechanical Engineer in North Walsham
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 PSS and the Principal Mechanical 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 PSS
✨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 PSS.
✨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 PSS.
✨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 PSS, making you a more appealing candidate.
