At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative marine structures for cleaner shipping solutions.
- Company: Fast-growing maritime tech company focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and excellent benefits package.
- Other info: Join a mission-driven team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate technology in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering with 5-10 years of marine design experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton hybrid, 3 days per week on-site
Salary: £70-75K+ (neg) plus excellent benefits package. More may be available for the right candidate. A relocation package and Visa/Sponsorship support is available for this role if required.
About the Opportunity
Our client is a fast-growing maritime technology business developing wind-assisted propulsion systems that help reduce fuel consumption and emissions across global shipping. They are now looking to appoint a Principal Design Engineer to join their growing engineering team. This is a hands-on role with broad involvement across the design lifecycle, from concept development through to detailed design and production-ready hardware. Working closely with the Head of Engineering, you will take ownership of key subsystems, helping to deliver designs that are robust, manufacturable, compliant, and ready for real-world use. This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven business developing real climate-impact technology in a highly innovative environment and would suit someone genuinely motivated by sustainability and the opportunity to contribute to cleaner shipping.
Key Requirements
- We are looking for an experienced Mechanical / Structural / Marine Engineer with strong expertise in marine structural design, analysis, and classification-led approval.
- Degree qualification in Naval, Mechanical, Structural, or Marine Engineering.
- Around 5-10 years experience designing marine structures approved by classification societies.
- Strong proficiency in Siemens NX, Autodesk Inventor, or similar 3D CAD tools.
- Strong experience in structural analysis, including FEA and hand calculations.
- Proven experience translating load cases into robust design requirements and validated structures.
- Experience working directly with classification societies and supporting technical approval.
- Experience with DNV, LR, NK or similar bodies.
- Strong understanding of DFMA, structural integrity, and manufacturability.
- Solution-driven approach.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, chaotic environment.
Desirable experience includes:
- Experience in fatigue, buckling, and large welded structures.
- Exposure to aero-structural systems or other performance-led structural design.
- Experience validating models against real-world data.
- Knowledge of structural testing, validation, and manufacturing techniques.
Role & Responsibilities
As Principal Design Engineer, you will lead the design and structural development of key product subsystems, ensuring they meet performance, compliance, and delivery requirements. Responsibilities will include:
- Leading the mechanical design of subsystems in line with programme objectives.
- Owning the development of wing geometry, balancing performance, structural integrity, and manufacturability.
- Developing and managing load cases across classification and real-world operating conditions.
- Translating load cases into clear design requirements.
- Defining structural design philosophy and ensuring compliance with classification standards.
- Performing and overseeing structural analysis and design verification.
- Developing and improving in-house structural analysis tools and methods.
- Leading technical engagement with classification societies.
- Acting as the internal authority for stress and fatigue analysis.
- Supporting and reviewing the work of more junior engineers where appropriate.
- Promoting high standards of engineering integrity, safety, and sustainability.
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business developing real-world clean technology for the global shipping market. You will benefit from:
- Working on real climate-impact hardware.
- High levels of ownership within a small engineering team.
- Broad exposure from concept through to production.
- The opportunity to grow and progress with the business as the technology scales.
Principal Design Engineer in Liverpool employer: Walsh Employment
Join a pioneering maritime technology company in Southampton, where you will play a crucial role in developing innovative wind-assisted propulsion systems aimed at reducing emissions in global shipping. With a strong focus on sustainability, our collaborative work culture fosters high levels of ownership and offers significant opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic engineering team. Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on climate change through your work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Liverpool
✨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 Walsh Employment.
✨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 Walsh Employment love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Walsh Employment 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 Principal Design Engineer in Liverpool
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 Walsh Employment and the Principal 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 Walsh Employment
✨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 Walsh Employment.
✨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 Walsh Employment.
✨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 Walsh Employment, making you a more appealing candidate.
