Principal Mechanical Development Engineer in Royal Leamington Spa

The Role

Due to the expansion of business within the Ricardo Development Department, we are actively searching for a Principal Development Engineer to work on powertrain, transmission and industrial‑focused projects across a wide spectrum of applications and their associated systems and sub‑systems. The successful candidate will be based at our Shoreham or Leamington Spa office but also be flexible to work at other Ricardo sites and at customer locations in the U.K. for a pre‑agreed period of time if the project requires it.

The role requires a qualified and experienced mechanical engineer, with a good understanding of automotive, industrial and marine components, systems and associated vehicle parts. Understanding of transmission design would also be beneficial. The job will require close co‑operation with stakeholder areas such as test, design, analysis, attributes, business development, metallurgical and chemical laboratories as well as suppliers to facilitate FMEAs and define appropriate design validation plans (DVPs). The role will require an element of team management, analysis of test and analysis results and make recommendations for design changes on either new powertrain designs, vehicle interface systems or lead failure investigation projects. Projects may involve working alone or part of a cross‑functional and possibly international team. The ideal candidate will be a commercially aware professional engineer, degree educated with an acceptable level of management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Team management
• Proposal preparation
• Understanding of the product development process for powertrains & transmissions
• System and component specifications
• Rig and system validation testing
• Instrumentation and data capture
• FMEAs
• DVPs (Design Validation Plans)
• Structured problem solving (8D, DAMACIC process, etc.)
• Test procedure preparation and release
• Post‑test teardown and inspection
• Metrology skills
• Understanding of component manufacture, supplier liaison and design release process
• Preparation and execution of component, system, engine and vehicle testing either at Ricardo or off‑site with the customer
• Specialist instrumentation
• Prototype component manufacture
• Component and system functional and durability test rigs
• Functionality and durability engine dynamometer tests
• Functionality and durability vehicle tests
• Investigations and technical reporting to respond to customer powertrain enquiries on current and advanced technology on component or engine systems
• Preparation of work proposals and project planning activities
• Interfacing with engineering teams and specialists

Qualification Requirements

• A good Engineering degree is preferential but not essential

Key Skills And Experience

• Strong ability to apply fundamental engineering principles
• Relevant experience in the automotive engineering industry and in the field of mechanical development is essential
• Initiative and interpersonal skills are essential, as are strong written communication, PC and presentation skills
• Technical task management of projects and engineers
• Broad engineering knowledge of powertrain systems
• Supplier management
• Willing to travel and work on client’s site
• Ability to coordinate and understand information from multiple engineering departments
• Understand engineering drawings
• Experience of fault‑finding techniques used in the automotive industry
• Good project management skills
• Understanding of CAE and CFD techniques
• Understanding of engine component and system design gasoline and diesel engines with a basic knowledge of transmission operation
• Good presentation and reporting skills

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. 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 recognised as a “disability confident” employer.