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- Tasks: Lead the design of advanced electro-optical and autonomous systems for defence.
- Company: Fast-growing, high-tech engineering business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: £70k salary, performance bonus, flexible working, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact by designing mission-critical hardware that protects lives.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and strong product design experience required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 84000 £ per year.
A fast-growing, high-technology engineering business is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of advanced electro-optical and autonomous systems used in real-world defence and security environments. This is a hands-on leadership role for a senior mechanical engineer who wants to build cutting-edge products that actually get deployed — not just designed. You’ll take full ownership of complex products from concept to production, working alongside elite electronics and software teams to deliver systems that track, identify and counter airborne threats in real time.
Why this role stands out
- This isn’t consultancy or incremental engineering. You’ll be designing mission-critical hardware that protects real people, sites and infrastructure.
- You’ll get direct ownership of product design from CAD → prototype → deployment.
- Influence over engineering standards, tools and design culture.
- The chance to mentor and shape a growing engineering team.
- Visibility and impact in a company where decisions are made quickly.
If you enjoy solving hard mechanical problems and seeing your work used in the field, this is the kind of role engineers wait years for.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading the mechanical design of high-performance electro-mechanical systems.
- Owning new product development from concept through verification and release.
- Improving existing products for quality, cost and manufacturability.
- Producing and maintaining detailed CAD, drawings, calculations, BOMs and test data.
- Setting and enforcing engineering standards and best practice.
- Mentoring and technically guiding other mechanical engineers.
- Working closely with electronics, software and systems teams.
You’ll be expected to be both technically hands-on and a design authority for the mechanical function.
What they’re looking for
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2:1 or higher).
- Strong background in complex product design and development.
- Advanced 3D CAD experience (Inventor preferred).
- FEA experience (Ansys ideal).
- High attention to detail and structured engineering mindset.
- Comfortable owning designs, making decisions and mentoring others.
- Proven ability to deliver to deadlines in demanding R&D environments.
What’s on offer
- £70,000 (depending on experience).
- Performance-related bonus.
- Flexible working options.
- UK relocation support.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (with long-service extras).
- Private healthcare & life assurance.
- Pension with employer matching.
- EV car scheme.
- Free breakfast.
- A modern, high-energy engineering environment in a beautiful rural location.
- A collaborative culture where engineers are trusted and empowered.
Important
You must have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available.
If you’re a senior mechanical engineer who wants to work on seriously impressive technology with real-world impact, this is one of the most exciting roles in the UK engineering market right now.
Principal Mechanical Engineer in Norwich employer: Serve Talent
Contact Detail:
Serve Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in Norwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in defence or autonomous systems. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best mechanical designs and projects. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, having tangible examples of your work can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common questions related to mechanical engineering and product design. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in the role and the company. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your experience with complex product design and development, especially in high-performance systems. We want to see how your skills align with our mission of creating cutting-edge technology.
Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to that demonstrate your hands-on experience. We love seeing how you've taken ownership from concept to deployment, so don’t hold back on the details!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for engineering and the impact of your work. Tell us why you’re excited about designing mission-critical hardware and how you can contribute to our team. This is your chance to stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out on the chance to join our innovative team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serve Talent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering fundamentals, especially around complex product design and development. Be ready to discuss your experience with CAD software like Inventor and FEA tools like Ansys, as these will be crucial in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a hands-on leadership role, prepare examples of how you've mentored others or led projects in the past. Highlight your ability to make decisions and own designs, as well as how you've influenced engineering standards in previous positions.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Research the company’s focus on high-performance defence and autonomous systems. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission of designing mission-critical hardware that protects people and infrastructure.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Think about some challenging mechanical problems you've solved in the past and be ready to walk through your thought process and the solutions you implemented.
