Job Description
Lead the Engineering Future of a Growing Specialist Business
Are you a practical, hands-on mechanical engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering problems rather than simply managing them?
This is a rare opportunity to become the senior technical authority within a growing specialist engineering business, helping shape the future of both its manufacturing and expanding remanufacturing capabilities.
You’ll work across automotive, hydraulics, steering, driveline and mechanical engineering, tackling everything from investigating component failures and reverse engineering obsolete products to designing bespoke hydraulic and steering products.
As vehicle technology evolves, you’ll also have the opportunity to help develop new repair and remanufacturing capabilities.
If you enjoy understanding how products work, why they fail and how they can be repaired, improved or redesigned, this role offers exceptional variety, autonomy and technical influence.
The Role
As Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll provide technical leadership across both a growing remanufacturing operation and established manufacturing activities.
This is not a traditional management role. You’ll remain close to the engineering, working alongside Manufacturing, Remanufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, Sales and Production teams to solve problems and deliver practical solutions.
You’ll also work directly with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, global vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket distributors and industrial customers, becoming a trusted technical authority and helping shape future engineering capability.
Key Responsibilities
Remanufacturing & Technical Development
- Provide day-to-day engineering support to remanufacturing operations.
- Investigate failed hydraulic, steering, driveline and mechanical components and identify root causes.
- Develop practical repair, refurbishment and remanufacturing methods for new product lines.
- Develop repair and test processes for EPAS systems and electronic assemblies.
- Reverse engineer obsolete or unsupported components where technical data is unavailable.
- Assess returned products and determine the most appropriate repair strategy.
- Support new remanufacturing programmes for OEM, aftermarket and industrial customers.
Design & Product Development
- Design hydraulic cylinders, steering columns, steering pumps and bespoke mechanical products using SolidWorks.
- Develop customer-specific engineering solutions from concept through to manufacture.
- Produce and maintain 3D models, manufacturing drawings and Bills of Materials.
- Carry out force, stress, torque, flow and power calculations.
Manufacturing Engineering
- Provide technical support across Manufacturing, Production, Quality, Purchasing and Sales.
- Advise on machining, manufacturing and assembly methods.
- Recommend materials, heat treatments, coatings and surface finishes.
- Assist with sourcing technical components and specialist tooling.
- Support the development and maintenance of engineering test equipment.
Engineering Standards & Documentation
- Maintain engineering drawings, master documentation and technical records.
- Ensure Bills of Materials and engineering data remain accurate and current.
- Maintain engineering standards, design practices and document control procedures.
- Produce work instructions and technical documentation for manufacturing and remanufacturing.
- Ensure engineering documentation supports efficient manufacture, repair and remanufacture.
What You'll Bring
We’re looking for someone with strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, excellent problem-solving ability and a practical approach to engineering.
- HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent practical engineering experience.
- Significant practical mechanical engineering experience within manufacturing, automotive, hydraulics, off-highway, defence or a related industry.
- Experience using SolidWorks or equivalent modern 3D CAD software.
- Experience designing hydraulic or mechanical systems and components for manufacture.
- Strong understanding of CNC machining, fabrication and assembly.
- Excellent engineering problem-solving skills.
- Strong understanding of engineering drawings and geometric tolerancing.
- Knowledge of engineering materials, heat treatments, coatings and surface finishes.
- Confidence communicating with OEM engineering teams, customers and suppliers.
What's In It For You
- Become the senior technical authority within a specialist engineering business.
- Work across a broad range of hydraulic, steering, driveline and mechanical products.
- Help shape the continued growth of a developing remanufacturing operation.
- Work directly with OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and global vehicle manufacturers.
- Enjoy genuine variety – no two weeks are the same.
- Work alongside experienced manufacturing and remanufacturing teams.
- Join a financially stable, growing engineering business investing in its future.
