Principal Design Engineer
Wolverhampton
Hybrid
Safran – Here, we craft excellence together.
At Safran, excellence is a journey – and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.
About Safran Actuation Systems UK
Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world‑class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight‑control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.
Our UK Actuation business brings together engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing capability and a proud heritage within the aerospace sector. Whether supporting major global programmes or developing the next generation of actuation technologies, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
As part of Safran's global network, joining Safran Actuation Systems UK means becoming part of a highly skilled, collaborative and forward‑thinking team with opportunities to grow, innovate and make a meaningful impact in the future of aerospace.
We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Aftermarket Design Engineering team as a Principal Design Engineer] at our Wolverhampton site.
Your Role
You will be responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering support across the full lifecycle of aerospace products in service.
Acting as a recognised technical authority, you will lead complex engineering work packages, support operational fleets, and drive engineering solutions that maintain product safety, reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of design solutions supporting aftermarket, in-service, and through-life support activities.
- Produce and approve detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and associated design definitions.
- Manage product configuration throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with configuration control processes.
- Create, maintain, and approve Bills of Materials (BOMs), parts lists, and product structures.
- Review, author, and approve engineering documentation in accordance with delegated authority and signatory privileges.
- Support concession activities, design deviations, and non-conformance assessments.
- Lead and manage engineering work packages from initiation through to delivery.
- Define technical scope, schedules, resource requirements, risks, and deliverables.
What You'll Bring
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Significant engineering experience, ideally from aerospace within aftermarket, product support, in-service engineering, or sustaining engineering environments.
- Proven experience in CAD modelling and engineering drawing production.
- Strong understanding of configuration management, BOM management, and product lifecycle management processes.
- Experience managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), concessions, design deviations, and non-conformances.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical investigations and root cause analysis activities.
- Experience chairing or participating in formal design reviews.
- Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
- Experience leading technical work packages and multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable Experience
- Knowledge of aerospace regulatory and airworthiness requirements.
- Delegated design signatory approval authority.
- Familiarity with aerospace standards including AS9100 and configuration management requirements.
At Safran, we understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger and more effective, and as an organisation, we are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.
We also know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert, however, we encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the application or hiring process that may better facilitate your participation.
Principal Design Engineer in Wolverhampton employer: Safran S.A.
Safran Electronics & Defense is an exceptional employer located in Wolverhampton, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and development. With competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a strong emphasis on employee well-being, including private medical insurance and a comprehensive health cash plan, the company prioritises its staff's needs. Employees benefit from a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the aerospace and defense sectors.
