Future Radar Mechanical Design Lead

ZipRecruiter; Test Valley; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Future Radar Mechanical Design Authority to lead the design of complex mechanical systems. This senior role involves collaboration across teams, ensuring compliance with standards, and providing expert input throughout the engineering lifecycle. The position offers hybrid working and a competitive salary, along with various benefits including a pension scheme and enhanced annual leave.

Benefits

Competitive Pension Scheme

Enhanced Annual Leave

Company-contributed Share Incentive Plan

Flexible Working

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle2work

Employee Discounts

Annual Incentive

Qualifications

• Expertise in mechanical engineering, particularly in thermal systems or structures.
• Proven experience in complex mechanical design and testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed mechanical design and analysis for new product development.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and internal processes.
• Act as Mechanical Design Authority throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Thermal Systems

Structural Design

CFD

FEA

Education

Chartered Engineer

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.

Role Overview

The successful candidate will act as the mechanical design authority, ensuring robust, compliant solutions throughout the full engineering lifecycle. They will have strong expertise in structural design, thermal systems, or other key mechanical domains, guiding project-specific activities and supporting 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.

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 interpret requirements and translate them into effective mechanical design solutions throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Familiarity with modelling and simulation tools used for mechanical analysis.
• Comfortable working within engineering governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with standards and best practices.
• Ideally holds Chartered Engineer status or has equivalent experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave, 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.

About 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 systems, investing in and building the UK’s sovereign radar capability.

Our workplace in Cowes is accessible via a ferry from Southampton with a BAE shuttle service. Joining us means being part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation that values career development, technical excellence, and real-world impact. We offer rich opportunities for you to develop, lead, and innovate.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you can make a real difference. We foster an inclusive culture that values integrity and merit, empowering you to fulfill your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in our industry, including women, minorities, people with disabilities, and individuals.

If you have a health condition or disability that may affect your performance in assessments, please discuss potential reasonable adjustments with your recruiter. Note that many roles are subject to security and export control restrictions, which may limit eligibility based on nationality, previous nationality, or place of birth. All applicants must meet at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard, with some roles requiring higher security vetting.

Closing Date: 26th May 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. We encourage early applications.