Principal Design Engineer in Huddersfield

At Quest Global, it’s not just what we do but how and why we do it that makes us different. With over 25 years as an engineering services provider, we believe in the power of doing things differently to make the impossible possible. Our people are driven by the desire to make the world a better place—to make a positive difference that contributes to a brighter future. We bring together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals who are empowered by an intentional workplace culture, to solve problems better and faster.

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Design Engineer to join our Aerospace and Defense team. This role involves designing mechanical systems, processes, methodologies, and component designs to enhance performance, transforming concepts into prototypes for testing, validation and improvement, and designing to meet costs, timing and quality requirements. You will lead a design team from concept through practical completion and apply engineering knowledge to devise innovative solutions for complex design problems.

• Provide leadership and line management to the team, coordinating workloads, offering support to ensure delivery, monitoring issues, and ensuring timescales, KPIs and deadlines are met to satisfy customer requirements.
• Develop the team by focusing on individual performance and support requirements to achieve high standards.
• Work on multiple major projects of high complexity requiring forefront-of-field, innovative solutions.
• Operate independently at the organizational level, self-supervising within the guidance and expectations of customers.
• Contribute to the creation and implementation of best-practice engineering vision, strategies, policies, processes and procedures to improve operational performance.
• Capture and specify design requirements; manage general and task management.
• Lead on complex major projects requiring forefront-of-the-field, innovative, original solutions; provide technical expertise to the team.
• Participate in internal and external design reviews and be responsible for design acceptance by the client.
• Make independent decisions on issues, providing expert technical support within Mechanical Engineering.
• Lead projects in a multi-discipline environment and coordinate all Mechanical Engineering and design with other disciplines (Process, transmission systems, gears, gear box and marine engineering).

• Design proficiency in transformation systems, gears, gear box and marine engineering.
• Experience producing mechanical specifications, scopes of work, calculations, drawings and schedules.
• Analyse and manage multiple design-related issues to identify root causes.
• Modify designs based on analysis and re-test to meet specification requirements.
• Make design changes on existing products and track them.
• Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients.
• Proficiency with main design packages such as Solid Edge, Siemens NX, AutoCAD.
• Result-oriented with client acceptance as a measure of success.
• Ability to chair design review meetings.
• Experience teaching and coaching junior mechanical engineers and designers.

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Previous experience in a similar role within the Aerospace and Defense industry.
• Experience in heavy engineering, power transmission systems, gears and gear boxes.
• Strong knowledge of quality management systems and industry standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001).
• Proficient in root cause analysis and failure mode analysis techniques.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on team, quality and continuous improvement.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Due to security requirements, these posts are open to SOLE UK NATIONALS ONLY.