Future Radar Mechanical Design Lead

ZipRecruiter; Bembridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in defence innovation is seeking a Future Radar Mechanical Design Authority to lead the design of complex mechanical systems. This senior role requires expertise in structural design and thermal systems, offering hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary. Join a dynamic team focused on cutting-edge technology and career development.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2work

Employee discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Demonstrable expertise in mechanical engineering areas.
• Proven experience in complex mechanical design.
• Ability to interpret requirements into effective solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and analysis for new product development.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Provide expert-level input across the full product lifecycle.

Skills

Thermal systems

Structural design

CFD

FEA

Propulsion

Education

Chartered Engineer status or equivalent experience

Tools

Modelling and simulation tools

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Future Radar Mechanical Design Authority

Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight. We offer hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £70,000 commensurate with skills and experience

This is a senior mechanical engineering role focused on leading the design and development of complex mechanical systems for a cutting-edge technology demonstrator.

The successful candidate will act as the mechanical design authority, ensuring robust, compliant solutions throughout the full engineering lifecycle. With strong expertise in structural design, thermal systems, or other key mechanical domains, they will guide both project-specific activities and support the broader engineering community with technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

What you’ll be doing:

1. Carry out detailed mechanical design and analysis activities to support the development of a complex new product
2. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure mechanical solutions align with overall system requirements
3. Act as the Mechanical Design Authority, providing expert-level input across the full product lifecycle
4. Apply subject matter expertise in key mechanical areas such as thermal management, structural integrity, or material selection
5. Ensure design compliance with relevant industry standards, regulations, and internal processes
6. Support design reviews, technical assessments, and the implementation of design changes as needed

Your skills and experiences:

• Demonstrable subject matter expertise in at least one area of Mechanical Engineering (e.g., thermal systems, structures, CFD, FEA, or propulsion), with the ability to provide authoritative technical input
• Proven experience in complex mechanical design, including the design, build, integration, and testing of advanced mechanical systems or products
• Ability to collate, interpret and translate requirements into effective mechanical design solutions throughout the engineering lifecycle
• Familiarity with modelling and simulation tools used for mechanical analysis, such as those assessing structural behaviour under static and dynamic loads
• Comfortable working within engineering governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with relevant standards, processes, and best practices
• Ideally holds Chartered Engineer status or has equivalent experience and qualifications in a mechanical engineering discipline

Benefits:

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance, and a Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan. Additional benefits include flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work, and employee discounts. You may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The NGRD Mechanical team:

At BAE Systems, we are revolutionising radar technology, delivering world-class products, and the next-generation capability that keeps the UK at the forefront of defence innovation.

As a growing business working on cutting-edge solutions, we value investment in talent—people like you—who are eager to push technological boundaries, make a real impact, and translate this into world-class products. Our mission is to equip our customers with the most advanced and capable systems available, through which we invest and build the UK’s sovereign capability for Radar. With strong backing from our customers, who are deeply integrated into our strategic vision, we operate in a highly collaborative environment where our work truly matters.

Our workplace in Cowes is easily accessible from Southampton via a regular foot passenger ferry and BAE shuttle service from the ferry terminal to the site. Joining our team means being part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation that values career development, technical excellence, and real-world impact. We are on a growth journey, offering rich opportunities to develop, lead, and innovate into the future.

Join us and shape the future of Radar technology:

We want to hear from you. We work in a business of careers, not jobs—your future starts here.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you can make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfill your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, especially from sections of the community currently underrepresented in our industry, including women, minorities, people with disabilities, and individuals.

We also aim to make our recruitment processes as inclusive as possible. If you have a health condition (e.g., dyslexia, autism, anxiety disorder) that may affect your performance in certain assessments, please speak to your recruiter about reasonable adjustments.

Please note that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions, which may limit your eligibility based on factors such as your nationality, previous citizenship, or place of birth. All applicants must meet at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles require higher levels of security vetting, typically involving 5 to 10 years of continuous residence in the UK, depending on the role's vetting level.

Closing Date: 29th May 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, early submissions are encouraged.