Principal Mechanical Engineer

Unleash the Power of Multi-Mission Excellence: Safeguarding the Seas for the World's Navies. Step into a world where cutting-edge technology meets unparalleled expertise. Ultra Maritime pioneers delivering multi-mission solutions that protect and empower the naval forces worldwide. With our extensive portfolio of capabilities, our innovations are utilised on naval fleets across our allied navies around the globe. As the maritime and underwater battlespace evolves, we tirelessly push the boundaries to develop advanced specialist systems that provide our 'five-eyes' Defence customers with an unbeatable warfighting edge. From surface vessels to sub-surface operations and unmanned platforms, we are revolutionising the way naval missions are executed. We thrive on collaboration and partnering with our customers to ensure mission success. Our expert solutions encompass an array of game‑changing technologies, including state‑of‑the‑art sonar, radar, expendables, signature management, and naval power systems.

Flexible Working: At Ultra Maritime, we understand that your personal life is just as important as your professional one. That's why we support and promote flexible working arrangements where possible. Whether you prefer a hybrid model, working remotely, or the structure of being on‑site, we will support you as best as we can. Embrace the freedom to shape your work hours according to your needs, whether it's part-time, compressed hours, or a unique arrangement that suits your lifestyle. Loudwater, Greenford, and Weymouth exclusively offer a 9‑day fortnight working pattern, offering extended weekends every other week, granting you more time to pursue your passions. And that's not all - we provide flexible start and finish times, as well as Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for up to 1 day per calendar month, which tie in with our values of Integrity, Transparency and Alignment. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description Key Responsibilities:

• Define and manage mechanical architecture, system and sub‑system requirements, ensuring validation and verification.
• Develop, document, and deliver robust mechanical solutions for complex systems using our engineering toolsets.
• Create and peer‑review technical artefacts, including design documentation, data packs, analysis reports, plans, and procedures in line with our product development framework.
• Analyse and document predicted mechanical behaviours and performance.
• Develop mechanical test solutions and procedures to support product verification.
• Lead mechanical integration, verification, and acceptance testing, collecting and presenting evidence as required.
• Prepare and present technical solutions and estimates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide in‑service and production support to customers.
• Act as Project Engineering Lead (PEL) and / or Work Package Manager (WPM) on projects when required.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of mechanical engineering processes and tools.
• Support bids and proposals with technical input, estimates, and plans.
• Adhere to company engineering processes and procedures.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Degree‑level education or equivalent experience.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle, developing mechanical solutions against defined requirements.
• Extensive experience in mechanical design and documentation using MCAD, MCAE, PLM, and ERP toolsets (e.g., Creo, Autodesk Inventor, Windchill, IFS).
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including material selection, assembly techniques, and manufacturing processes.
• Work package management experience.
• Experience preparing for and participating in Product Design Reviews.
• Hands‑on experience designing complex systems involving multiple engineering disciplines, with awareness of associated challenges and risks.
• Proven ability to deliver reliable solutions on time and within budget.
• Security clearance at SC level or eligibility to obtain it.

Desired:

• Experience in mechanical integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Background in designing products for the Defence domain (preferably Maritime).
• Familiarity with mechanical design analysis techniques and tools (e.g., trade studies, calculations, modelling, simulation).
• Ability to prioritise and execute tasks effectively in a deadline‑driven environment.

What We Offer:

• Optional 9‑day fortnight for better work‑life balance.
• Time Off in Lieu (TOIL).
• Flexible working hours.
• Early finish on Fridays.
• Annual bonus.
• Hybrid working options for certain roles.
• Casual dress policy.
• 25 days holiday plus Christmas shutdown.
• Option to buy or sell holiday.
• Access to private healthcare, dental, and critical illness cover via salary sacrifice.
• Life cover at 4x annual salary.
• Generous pension scheme starting at 5% employer / 4% employee contributions (with flexibility to increase your contribution up to 70%).

Relocation Support: Attracting high‑level talent and people that can add value and expertise, is vital to our success. Attracting and retaining brilliant people is imperative so that's why we search across the UK for talent. We offer financial support to candidates that are considering relocating; this is considered on a case‑by‑case basis per role and subject to HMRC guidelines.

Nationality Requirements: Candidates must be eligible to obtain the relevant security clearance required for the role, due to the nature of the programmes we deliver for our customers.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer: Ultra Maritime is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self. We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.