At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects and ensure product integrity in fire protection engineering.
- Company: Join the UK's leading supplier of passive fire protection products.
- Benefits: Flexible work culture, career development, and a commitment to sustainability.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace focused on diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety standards while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 5-10 years in mechanical design engineering and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
The Lead Design Engineer, based at our site in Whitstable, Kent, will provide technical leadership within the engineering function of the UK’s leading supplier of passive fire protection products, an organisation actively involved in driving fire standards in the UK. The role is responsible for the design integrity, development and lifecycle support of mechanical products. It covers reverse engineering and redesign of legacy products, as well as new product development, ensuring solutions meet functional, cost, manufacturing and regulatory requirements. The Lead Engineer sets technical direction, maintains engineering standards and guides the design team through concept, development and validation.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Ensure all engineering designs, prototypes and development activities are carried out in accordance with relevant health, safety and regulatory requirements
- Provide technical leadership across mechanical product design, development and lifecycle support
- Lead reverse engineering activities to analyse, redesign and improve existing products
- Develop concept designs based on engineering analysis, test data and requirements
- Produce 2D/3D CAD models and drawings using AutoCAD
- Plan and execute prototype manufacture including build and evaluation
- Design and conduct Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Perform FEA analysis (Nastran)
- Analyse test data to drive product improvement
- Own technical problem solving and root cause analysis
- Support manufacturing and resolve design issues
- Maintain technical documentation and reports
Essential Experience:
- 5-10+ years mechanical design engineering experience
- Reverse engineering and product redesign
- Prototype development and testing
- Engineering analysis (FEA/calculations)
- Technical leadership or supervisory experience
Desirable Experience:
- Project management experience
- Direct medium-high volume production environment exposure
- Toolroom trained (lathe, CNC, etc)
- Prototype development
- Lean/Continuous Improvement.
Essential Qualifications:
- Degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience
Equal Opportunities Statement:
We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, in line with the Equality Act 2010. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We offer:
At Swegon, we work to create the world's best indoor climate that makes people thrive and feel good inside. We have ambitious goals in our sustainability efforts, in offering the most energy-efficient products, promoting gender equality, and becoming carbon neutral, and we have clear transparency in our work. We offer exciting challenges in a global environment with competent colleagues and a culture characterized by our values; "Customer Empathy, Trust, and Commitment," which permeate everything we do and are the basis for the decisions we make and how we interact with each other. At Swegon, we have an open and flexible organizational culture with short decision-making processes, plenty of development opportunities, and we care about you being able to balance your work with your personal life. We place great emphasis on personal qualities, welcome applicants with different backgrounds, and strive for diversity and gender equality.
Lead Design Engineer employer: Swegon Uk
Swegon is an exceptional employer located in Whitstable, Kent, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets sustainability. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture rooted in values such as Customer Empathy, Trust, and Commitment, we provide our team with exciting challenges and opportunities for growth. Our inclusive workplace prioritises work-life balance and diversity, making it a rewarding place for passionate professionals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design Engineer
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Swegon Uk.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Swegon Uk love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Swegon Uk and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Swegon Uk and the Lead Design Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Swegon Uk
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Swegon Uk.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Swegon Uk.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Swegon Uk, making you a more appealing candidate.
