At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical design projects and support a dynamic team of engineers.
- Company: Market-leading engineering firm focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, extensive benefits, remote work options, and career progression.
- Other info: Join a growing company with a strong future and exciting projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge engineering across diverse sectors.
- Qualifications: Mechanical engineering degree and leadership experience required.
Due to sustained growth, a significant forward order workload and a continued commitment to be at the forefront of the industry, our client is now searching for a vastly experienced Chief Engineer (Mechanical). This position is based from our client’s Derbyshire office with one day a week working from home available and a 37.5 hour working week.
The successful candidate will act as the company’s technical authority and be responsible for leading and approving innovative, creative and winning design packages in line with client key drivers, and project programs and budgets. You will take accountability directing and supporting a team of Design Engineers of varying levels of experience.
You should have experience from the mechanical engineering sector in manufacturing or production with expertise in areas such as industrial, aerospace, pipework, HVAC, automotive, metal fabrication, structural steelwork, oil & gas etc. You should also possess a full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
The Role
- To ensure on time delivery of “Right First Time” compliant designs
- To lead all mechanical design activities within the engineering design department
- Provide day to day accountability for the department and its team of Design Engineers
- Provide advice and support to the sales and applications function in the tendering of work
- To ensure work is completed efficiently to project timescales and to acceptable standards
- To promote value engineering activity and cost reduction at all levels
- Maintaining relevant processes and updating as necessary to fulfil the business needs
- Oversee General Engineering Governance
- Monitor engineering progress and provide status reports to the Technical Director
- Manage and review mechanical design resources to ensure availability of load and capacity to support business needs
- To schedule resources and assign work tasks to the mechanical design engineers, including input to planning activities for engineering, and support project programmes
- To provide the technical input for engineering purchase specifications
- To generate technical reports, calculations and design schemes
- Check and approve design schemes, customer calculations, subcontract technical submissions and ensure quality and consistency of submissions in line with current working practices and standards are maintained
- Manage subcontract designs from a technical aspect – “effective and efficient”
- Maintain job records in accordance with company norms and practices
- Represent the Mechanical Design Engineering function at Customer site reviews
- Maintain company records and knowledge base definition drawings and interpret and approve engineering drawings produced by your team
- Generate concise and presentable sketches and reports for issue to a range of customers
- Interpret and implement engineering specifications and standards to ensure compliance
- Preparation of engineering calculations over a number of disciplines in support of designs
- Perform concept and detail design work applying dynamic, mechanical, and thermo-fluid principles to generate optimum customer solutions
- Design hazard identification and risk reduction
- Liaise with other relevant departments to ensure correct levels of resource are maintained and identify any shortfalls and work with department head to recruit or subcontract
- Review and appraise the mechanical design team with consideration of competency
- To lead by example and operate to the highest engineering professional code of conduct
The Person
- Possess a mechanical engineering degree and experience in a team leading / similar role and have advanced understanding of mechanical engineering principles
- Ability to create and approve technical designs to satisfy customer requirements with proficiency in standard industry design packages
- Strong organisational and communication skills to support project and company goals
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and delivering to challenging timescales
Our Client
Our client is a market leading design, build, installation, fabrication and maintenance organisation operating at the cutting edge of engineering excellence driven and supported by a passion for innovation. They have continuously diversified and expanded their expertise, enabling them to deliver a huge range of advanced engineering solutions for the Aerospace, Marine, Energy, Oil & Gas, Infrastructure and Automotive sectors, amongst many others. They not only always complete projects successfully and to the highest of standards but also add value to their clients by giving total support from the beginning to the end of every contract.
An attractive basic salary plus extensive benefits package is on offer to the successful candidate, along with longevity and security of work and forward career progression given that our client possesses a significant contract pipeline for the long-term future and is firmly committed to continued growth over the next 5-10 years.
Chief Mechanical Engineer employer: PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and professional growth within the construction and engineering sectors. With a focus on employee development, they provide extensive training opportunities and a competitive benefits package, including a lucrative bonus scheme, ensuring that team members are well-supported in their roles. The flexibility of working from home, combined with the chance to engage with diverse clients across the UK, makes this position not only rewarding but also integral to the company's ambitious growth plans.
Contact Details:
PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Mechanical Engineer
✨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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd.
✨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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd 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 Chief Mechanical Engineer
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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd and the Chief 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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd
✨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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd.
✨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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd.
✨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 PWS Technical Services (UK) Ltd, making you a more appealing candidate.
