Senior Design Engineer

Location: Newry / Lislea, Northern Ireland

Full-time | Permanent | Five days on site | No travel required

Are you a highly experienced Design Engineer who wants more ownership, more influence and the opportunity to lead genuinely innovative engineering projects? We are partnering with a growing specialist engineering business that designs and develops advanced robotic systems for use in complex, safety-critical industrial environments. They are now searching for a Senior Design Engineer to take ownership of complex, bespoke engineering projects from initial concept through to manufacture, testing and final implementation.

This is not a role where you will simply make minor changes to repeatable products. Every project presents different technical challenges, requiring creativity, strong engineering judgement and the ability to turn complex ideas into practical, reliable and manufacturable solutions.

The opportunity

Around 80% of your time will remain focused on hands-on engineering design and product development. The remaining 20% will involve managing, mentoring and developing two junior engineers. You will report directly to the Managing Director and hold final technical sign-off authority for designs, giving you genuine influence over engineering decisions and the continued development of the company’s technology.

Your role will include:

• Leading complex, bespoke design projects from concept through to manufacture, testing and implementation
• Producing detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies and manufacturing drawings
• Designing and improving mechanical systems, machinery and robotic equipment
• Integrating mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and control elements into complete working systems
• Leading prototype builds, testing, validation and design reviews
• Investigating technical problems and delivering lasting improvements in reliability and performance
• Improving manufacturability, standardisation and cost effectiveness
• Managing and developing two junior engineers while remaining strongly hands-on
• Working closely with manufacturing, procurement, operations and specialist technical partners
• Ensuring engineering decisions consistently prioritise safety, quality and performance

What we are looking for

You will need:

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in mechanical design engineering
• A proven track record of independently delivering complex, bespoke engineering projects
• Strong hands-on mechanical design capability within complex machinery, special-purpose equipment, mobile equipment, robotics or a similar engineering environment
• Experience taking projects from initial concept through detailed design, manufacture, prototype build, testing and implementation
• Advanced 3D CAD capability, ideally using SolidWorks
• Practical knowledge of hydraulic systems and the ability to integrate hydraulic and fluid-handling elements into a wider machine design
• A good understanding of electrical and control-system interfaces
• Strong technical problem-solving, root-cause analysis and design-validation skills
• Experience leading technical projects and supporting or managing junior engineers
• The confidence and engineering maturity to hold final technical sign-off authority
• A degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a rare opportunity to join a small, ambitious engineering business where your ideas will be heard and your work will have a visible impact. You will have the freedom to influence designs, improve products, develop people and take real ownership across the complete engineering lifecycle.

The package includes:

• Competitive Salary
• Pension
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance
• On-site gym
• Free parking
• Career development opportunities
• No travel requirement

If you are a highly experienced, hands-on Design Engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems and wants the freedom to shape genuinely innovative technology, I would love to speak with you. Apply today or contact me directly for a confidential, informal conversation.