Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering in Royal Leamington Spa

Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering in Royal Leamington Spa

Royal Leamington Spa Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative vehicle and suspension design projects from concept to production.
  • Company: Join a world leader in propulsion engineering with over 110 years of innovation.
  • Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace that values every voice.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global engineering solutions while working with cutting-edge technology.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in vehicle design required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

  • Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering
  • Pushing Boundaries: a World leader in propulsion engineering from concept to production

Ricardo is a trusted engineering partner specialising in complex propulsion, driveline, and energy systems.

We work with customers globally to deliver end-to-end solutions from initial design through to full production.

For over 110 years, we have been at the forefront of world changing engineering innovation, partnering with many of the world’s most ambitious organisations to improve performance, push boundaries, and accelerate progress.

Headquartered in Shoreham by Sea (UK), Ricardo brings together more than 1,000 experts and delivers in excess of 200 major programmes globally at any given time.

For more information, visit www. ricardo. com

The Role

Ricardo’s Engineering Division are seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Contractor - Principal Design Engineer, you will be a part of the Global Mechanical Design team responsible for leading activities in the design of a Vehicle and Suspension Engineering, from clean sheet to production.

You will take responsibility for leading a team of mechanical designers to deliver a particular mechanical system or complete product and will need to manage and work effectively with other Engineering disciplines to develop system level solutions to implement designs, that satisfy component, system, product, and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

  • Concept and definitive 3D mechanical design of systems, system assemblies and complex components such as …subframes, suspension knuckles, control arms, tie rods, pitman arms.
  • Detailed mechanical design work including basic stress calculations, FMEA’s, 2D detailing, 2D layouts, Tolerance stacks as required
  • Close cooperation with FEA and Simulation teams to ensure products meet design validation requirements.
  • Close cooperation with manufacturing and process engineers to ensure products meet DFMArequirements.
  • Management of Bill of Materials.
  • Creationof technical reports and documentation asrequiredfor engineering projects.
  • Liaison with suppliers and other Ricardo departments to ensure the required information is available when needed and customer requests are dealt with in a timely manner.
  • Responsibility forcoaching and mentoring design engineers in design techniques.

Ability to take on project roles such as Lead Designer as required by the project, ability to lead small to mid size project teams.

  • Understanding ofmarket sector trends and market development.
  • Key Competencies and Experience
  • Degree (Bachelor or Masters) in Mechanical Engineering or similar field or with equivalent technical experience.
  • Substantive experience in Mechanical Design Engineering with focus on Vehicle and Chassis Engineering.
  • Broad range ofmechanical design knowledge specializing in one of the following areas: suspension design, sub frame design, suspension and steering components.
  • Solid understanding ofmechanical engineering principles with ability to interpret FEA, CFD results and incorporate them in mechanical design.

Good appreciation of suspension and steering design fundamental and vehicle dynamics, NVH, durability.

  • Solid understanding ofmanufacturing processes, and their impact on design, experience with DFMA.
  • Ability to understand, produce and check2D technical drawings to a high standard with high GD&T competency.
  • Experienced user of CATIA V5.
  • Experience with PLM systems, Windchill preferred.
  • Leadership of small teams.
  • Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office.
  • Personal Attributes
  • Confident, proactive and adaptive ability to take the lead in challenging situations to achieve company goals and objectives.
  • Acting as a role model representing the company values.
  • Strong technical and report writing communication skill in English.
  • Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
  • Able to prioritize and organize multiple project workloads and tasks working to tight deadlines.
  • Able to travel to support supplier and customer discussions overseas.
  • Working here

You will be warmly welcomed into our workplace where every voice matters.

We are diverse thinkers and doers, coming together to create a culture of inclusion.

We will support you to find your place.

We will encourage you to use your passion and expertise to make a positive impact through the projects you work on.

Your knowledge and desire to bring about change will be invaluable in helping deliver innovative solutions that support communities across the globe in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Work life balance

We offer flexible approaches to work, whether that is working from home, being in the office, or as a hybrid worker.

We're happy to discuss flexible working arrangements.

Wellbeing is at the core to our culture, allowing employees to flourish and to achieve their full potential.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.

We have an ambitious diversity, equality, and inclusion approach as explained here.

We value diversity; recognising that a more diverse workforce creates a richer and more varied working environment.

Diversity also drives innovation, by allowing us to offer our clients the best consultancy service that we can.

As part of our commitment to engage positively and pro-actively with all our employees and to ensure an inclusive culture, we are a recognised as a 'disability confident' employer.

Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering in Royal Leamington Spa employer: Ricardo, Inc.

Ricardo is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the engineering sector. Located in the picturesque Shoreham-by-Sea, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises continuous learning and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. With opportunities to engage with cross-functional teams and contribute to cutting-edge projects, Ricardo empowers its workforce to thrive both personally and professionally.

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Contact Details:

Ricardo, Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering in Royal Leamington Spa

✨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 Ricardo, Inc..

✨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 Ricardo, Inc. love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

✨Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Ricardo, Inc. 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 Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering in Royal Leamington Spa

3D Mechanical Design
Mechanical Design Engineering
Vehicle and Chassis Engineering
Suspension Design
Subframe Design
Control Arms Design
Basic Stress Calculations

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 Ricardo, Inc. and the Contractor - Principal Design Engineer - Vehicle and Suspension Engineering 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 Ricardo, Inc.

✨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 Ricardo, Inc..

✨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 Ricardo, Inc..

✨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 Ricardo, Inc., making you a more appealing candidate.