Lead Design Engineer

FLUID TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED; Yate; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Pension scheme

Life insurance

Health and wellbeing support portal

Discounts via Benefits Portal

Electric Car Scheme

23 days annual leave + bank holidays

Company Benefits Portal

Job summary

Fluid Transfer International, based in Nailsworth, Stroud, is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and development of aircraft refuelling vehicles and related equipment. You will manage a small team of mechanical and electrical designers, collaborating with Production, Purchasing, Sales, and Project Management to take projects from concept through to manufacture and delivery.

The role offers growth in a highly specialised industry, with opportunities to work on

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or BEng/MEng in mechanical engineering or production engineering.
• Experience in mechanical design within manufacturing/engineering environments.
• Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD tools (Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD).
• Familiarity with CAD data management systems like Autodesk Vault.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop aircraft refuelling vehicles and related equipment.
• Produce 3D models and manufacturing drawings, plus electrical schematics.
• Improve existing designs for performance and reliability.
• Interpret specifications and prepare proposals and tender docs.
• Create BOMs and manage design data with cross-functional teams.
• Support prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
• Lead design projects from concept to delivery.
• Provide manufacturing support and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

Autodesk Inventor

AutoCAD

2D CAD

3D CAD

GD&T

Sheet metal design

Hydraulic systems

Pneumatic systems

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

HNC/HND in Mechanical or Production Engineering

BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Vault or similar CAD data management

Job description

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer – Aviation Refuelling Systems

Location: Nailsworth, Stroud

Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 (DOE)

Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:30 - 17:00

About Fluid Transfer International

Fluid Transfer International is a leading manufacturer of world-class aviation refuelling systems. From our dedicated facility in Nailsworth, we design, develop, and manufacture market-leading aircraft refuelling vehicles and equipment for commercial airports, military organisations, and global fuel suppliers.

Our reputation is built on quality, innovation, reliability, and engineering excellence. As our business continues to grow, we are looking for a talented Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to join our engineering team.

The Role

As a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, you will play a key role in the design, development, and continuous improvement of our specialist aircraft refuelling vehicles and associated equipment. Management a small team of Mechanical and Electrical Designers within the companies engineering team. Working closely with Production, Purchasing, Sales, and Project Management, you will take projects from initial concept through to manufacture and delivery.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer looking to develop their skills within a highly specialised industry while working on technically challenging projects with an international customer base.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop aircraft refuelling vehicles and associated equipment.
• Produce accurate 3D models, technical drawings, manufacturing drawings, and electrical schematics using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
• Modify and improve existing product designs to enhance performance, manufacturability, and reliability.
• Interpret customer specifications and produce engineering proposals and tender documentation.
• Select appropriate components and create Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Liaise with Sales, Purchasing, Production, and Quality teams throughout the design process.
• Support prototype builds, testing, commissioning, and product validation activities.
• Assist with project design management from concept through to final delivery.
• Provide technical support to the manufacturing team.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant engineering standards, customer requirements, and company quality procedures.

About You

You will have a strong mechanical engineering background and enjoy solving practical engineering challenges. You will be organised, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

Essential Requirements

• HNC/HND in Mechanical or Production Engineering, or a BEng/MEng in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Previous experience in a mechanical design role within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD software, particularly Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
• Experience with Autodesk Vault or similar CAD data management systems.
• Good understanding of sheet metal design, fabrication, welding, and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, and fluid transfer systems.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competent with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively to deadlines.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of electrical design and schematic creation.
• Knowledge of PLC systems or programming (training can be provided).
• Experience within the automotive, aerospace, defence, or special-purpose vehicle industries.
• Familiarity with project management principles and engineering change processes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £45,000 - £55,000 depending on experience.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Opportunity to work on industry-leading aviation equipment.
• Exposure to electrical and control system design.
• Genuine opportunities for career progression within a growing international business.
• 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Increasing to 24 days after 5 years' service
• Increasing to 25 days after 10 years' service
• Company pension scheme
• Life insurance
• Free on-site parking
• Company Benefits Portal offering Discount and Health and Wellbeing Support
• Electric Car Scheme

• If you're looking for a varied engineering role where you'll see your designs become real-world products used around the globe, we'd love to hear from you.