At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of bespoke industrial vehicles from concept to production.
- Company: Innovative engineering firm focused on custom vehicle solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with diverse projects and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering unique engineering solutions that exceed client expectations.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 10+ years in vehicle design.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
This is a senior, hands-on engineering role leading the design and development of bespoke industrial vehicles. You will take ownership of the full product lifecycle; from concept through to production, ensuring each solution is tailored to client needs, fully compliant and built for real-world performance. Working at the forefront of custom vehicle engineering, you will guide multidisciplinary teams, translate complex requirements into practical designs and play a key role in delivering innovative, high-quality products in a highly specialised environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership: Own the overall design strategy, approve final engineering outputs and act as the key authority on technical decisions. Ensure all designs are robust, safe and suited to demanding applications.
- Bespoke Product Development: Lead the creation of custom vehicle solutions, turning client concepts into detailed designs using CAD, simulation and prototyping tools. Balance innovation with manufacturability.
- Project Delivery: Collaborate with project teams to deliver on time and within budget. Manage multiple projects, identify risks early and support builds through production and commissioning.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with sales, manufacturing, procurement and service teams, while engaging directly with clients to clarify technical requirements and ensure expectations are met.
- Compliance & Standards: Ensure all engineering meets industry regulations, safety standards and documentation requirements, maintaining full traceability throughout the design process.
- Innovation & Improvement: Drive continuous improvement across designs, tools and processes, exploring new technologies such as electrification and automation where relevant.
- Team Leadership: Mentor and develop engineers, set best practices and lead design reviews to build a high-performing, capable engineering team.
- Customer Focus: Deliver solutions that not only meet technical requirements but also exceed customer expectations in quality, usability, and value.
Key Skills & Experience
- Strong background in mechanical and systems engineering
- Proven experience in bespoke or low-volume vehicle design
- Ability to lead projects and make confident engineering decisions
- Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and cost considerations
- Advanced CAD skills (e.g. SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and familiarity with FEA/DFM
- Deep knowledge of vehicle systems, safety, and compliance standards
Requirements
- Degree in Mechanical, Automotive or related Engineering discipline
- 10–15+ years’ experience in vehicle or industrial design
- Track record of leading full product development programmes
- Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams
Desirable: Chartered status, Master’s degree, and exposure to emerging vehicle technologies (EV, composites, simulation tools).
What Makes This Role Different? This isn’t a mass-production environment – every project is unique. You will work closely with clients, apply practical engineering judgement and bring creative solutions to life. It’s a role for someone who thrives on variety, enjoys solving complex challenges and takes pride in delivering truly bespoke engineering excellence.
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer employer: Virtual Hire Staffing
As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Lowestoft, you will join a dynamic team that values innovation and creativity in bespoke vehicle engineering. The company fosters a collaborative work culture, offering opportunities for professional growth and mentorship while ensuring that every project is unique and tailored to client needs. With a commitment to high-quality standards and cutting-edge technologies, this role provides a rewarding environment for engineers passionate about making a real-world impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best design projects, especially those that highlight your bespoke vehicle solutions. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and being ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role of a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills match the unique challenges we face in custom vehicle engineering.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer role. Highlight your background in bespoke vehicle design and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you're a great fit for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about custom vehicle engineering. Share examples of how you've tackled complex challenges and delivered innovative solutions, as this will help us see your problem-solving skills in action.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your advanced CAD skills and experience with FEA/DFM. We want to know how you’ve used these tools in past projects, so be specific about your contributions and the outcomes achieved.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This not only streamlines the process but also ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virtual Hire Staffing
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your mechanical and systems engineering knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with bespoke vehicle design and how you've led projects in the past. This role is all about technical leadership, so show them you can own the design strategy!
✨Showcase Your CAD Skills
Since advanced CAD skills are crucial for this position, be prepared to talk about your experience with tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring examples of your previous designs and be ready to explain your thought process behind them. Visual aids can really help here!
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
This role involves mentoring and leading a team, so think of examples where you've successfully guided others. Discuss how you've set best practices and led design reviews. They want to see that you can build a high-performing team while delivering innovative solutions.
✨Emphasise Customer Focus
Be ready to share how you've exceeded customer expectations in your previous roles. Talk about specific projects where you turned client concepts into successful designs. Highlight your ability to engage with clients and clarify their technical requirements to ensure satisfaction.
