Design Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Design Engineer
Location: Oxfordshire
Industry: Composite Manufacturing/Motorsport/Automotive/Aerospace
Contract: Perm/Contract roles available

About the Role: A client of mine is seeking highly skilled Design Engineers on both a permanent & contractual basis with expertise in composite manufacturing. This role requires a strong background in carbon fibre structures, surfacing, composite design, and mould tool development, with proficiency in CATIA V5. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality designs for motorsport, automotive, and aerospace applications, working closely with engineering and production teams to create innovative, lightweight, and performance-driven composite solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Composite Design & Engineering: Develop lightweight, high-performance composite components using CATIA V5, focusing on carbon fibre structures, laminates, and mould tooling.
2. Surface & Shape Design: Create and modify complex surfacing for aerodynamically optimized components and assemblies.
3. Mould Tool Development: Design composite mould tools to support efficient and high-quality composite manufacturing processes.
4. Engineering Support: Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are feasible, cost-effective, and meet production requirements.
5. Material & Process Optimization: Work with composite materials and manufacturing methods such as pre-preg layup, autoclave curing, and RTM to optimize performance and weight.
6. Problem-Solving & Innovation: Address engineering challenges related to composite structures, structural integrity, and manufacturability.
7. Documentation & CAD Management: Maintain accurate design documentation, CAD models, and engineering drawings for production.

Key Requirements:

1. Experience: Proven track record in composite design, carbon fibre engineering, and surfacing within motorsport, aerospace, or automotive industries.
2. Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in CATIA V5 (Surfacing, Composite Design, Generative Shape Design).
3. Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of composite materials, layups, mould tools, and manufacturing techniques.
4. Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to tackle complex engineering challenges with innovative solutions.
5. Collaboration: Strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.