Senior Design Engineer in Huntingdon

Senior Design Engineer in Huntingdon

Huntingdon Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
TRB Lightweight Structures

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering projects from concept to production, creating innovative designs and solutions.
  • Company: Join TRB Lightweight Structures, a leader in lightweight aluminium design for the rail industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to influence product development and engineering standards.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects while collaborating with customers and teams.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and significant experience in mechanical product design.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

TRB Lightweight Structures is a specialist designer and manufacturer of lightweight aluminium structures / parts for the rail industry.

As part of the Kineco Group, we work with leading rolling stock manufacturers and operators across the UK and Europe, delivering innovative solutions including passenger door systems, lightweight interior structures, toilet modules, composite assemblies and bespoke engineered products.

Our products are designed, manufactured and assembled in-house, giving our engineers the opportunity to influence every stage of the product lifecycle—from concept through to production.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Engineering team.

This is an excellent opportunity for a practical, hands-on engineer who enjoys taking ownership of projects, working directly with customers and seeing their designs become reality.

The Role

This is a senior technical role within a small and highly collaborative Design team.

You will lead the technical delivery of engineering projects while remaining actively involved in product design and development.

Working closely with the Engineering Manager, you will also provide support and technical guidance where required and help maintain high engineering standards across the department.

Success in this role requires a proactive engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, working across multiple disciplines and supporting projects from concept through manufacture and into production.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the technical delivery of engineering projects from concept through detailed design, manufacture and customer approval.

Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, manufacturing drawings and engineering documentation using Solid Works.

Review engineering drawings and designs to ensure accuracy, quality and compliance with company and customer requirements.

Provide technical guidance and mentoring to the Design Engineer, supporting their development

Act as a technical point of contact for customers, attending design reviews and project meetings.

Work closely with Production, Quality and Supply Chain to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable and cost-effective.

  • Support prototype builds, first-off manufacture and the resolution of production engineering issues.
  • Prepare / review Bills of Materials if applicable , manage engineering changes and design documentation
  • Support quotation activities, technical feasibility studies and new product development.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, helping strengthen engineering standards, drawing quality and design processes.
  • Assist with root cause investigations and implementation of corrective actions where design improvements are required.
  • Degree, HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Significant experience in mechanical product design within the rail industry or another highly regulated engineering sector.
  • Proven experience delivering engineering projects from concept through manufacture.
  • Advanced Solid Works experience, including complex assemblies and detailed manufacturing drawings.
  • Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA).
  • Experience working closely with manufacturing teams to resolve production engineering challenges.
  • Experience leading technical discussions with customers and participating in design reviews.
  • Excellent problem-solving, organisational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities and make sound engineering decisions with minimal supervision.

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous

  • Passenger door systems or rail interior products, bonded assemblies, aluminium fabrications and lightweight Structures
  • Engineering stress calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Configuration control and engineering change management
  • Knowledge of rail standards such as EN 15085, EN 45545-2, GMRT2100, EN 17460
  • What Were Looking For

Were looking for someone who combines strong technical ability with a practical, collaborative approach.

You’ll enjoy working directly with customers, supporting colleagues and solving real engineering challenges on the shop floor as well as in the design office.

You’ll be comfortable taking ownership of projects, making informed engineering decisions and helping develop the capability of a small but ambitious Engineering team.

This role would suit an experienced engineer who enjoys the variety and responsibility that comes with working in a growing engineering business, where you can make a visible contribution to both product development and the future direction of the Engineering function.

Why Join TRB?

At TRB, you’ll have the opportunity to work on technically challenging products for leading rail customers while seeing your ideas progress rapidly from concept to manufacture.

Unlike larger organisations, you’ll have direct involvement with customers, suppliers and production teams, giving you genuine influence over engineering decisions and product development.

As part of the Kineco Group, you’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to new product development and support the continued growth of a business investing in its engineering capability.

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Senior Design Engineer in Huntingdon employer: TRB Lightweight Structures

TRB Lightweight Structures is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, allowing Senior Design Engineers to take ownership of projects and directly influence product development. With opportunities for professional growth within the Kineco Group, employees can engage in technically challenging work while enjoying the benefits of a supportive team environment and direct interaction with customers and production teams. Located in a dynamic sector, TRB offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful engineering solutions in the rail industry.

TRB Lightweight Structures

Contact Details:

TRB Lightweight Structures Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Design Engineer in Huntingdon

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 TRB Lightweight Structures.

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 TRB Lightweight Structures love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of TRB Lightweight Structures 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 Senior Design Engineer in Huntingdon

3D CAD Modelling
SolidWorks
Mechanical Product Design
Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA)
Engineering Project Management
Technical Guidance and Mentoring
Problem-Solving Skills

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 TRB Lightweight Structures and the Senior 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 TRB Lightweight Structures

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 TRB Lightweight Structures.

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 TRB Lightweight Structures.

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 TRB Lightweight Structures, making you a more appealing candidate.