Lead Engineer

Northern Industries Group; Stanley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in England is seeking a Lead Engineer to drive innovation and improve design standards. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in steel fabrication and expert skills in SolidWorks. Responsibilities include leading a design team, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and providing technical guidance. Attractive benefits include a competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive base salary

Company pension scheme

33 days holiday including bank holidays

Opportunities for professional development

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior design or engineering role within a steel or sheet metal fabrication environment.
• In-depth understanding of steel & sheet metal design principles, fabrication methods, & manufacturing processes.
• Ability to generate accurate DXF files, drawings, and BOMs for production.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of designers in developing new & existing product designs.
• Collaborate with sales & production teams to ensure effective design translation.
• Provide technical guidance & mentorship to other design engineers.

Skills

Expert-level user of SolidWorks

Strong problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Job description

Job Description

Lead Engineer

Steelway Protect | Permanent Role

About Us

Steelway Protect, a brand within the Steelway family and part of the Northern Industries Group, specialises in delivering turnkey, high-security solutions across sectors such as critical infrastructure, utilities, and commercial environments, both at home and across the world. We pride ourselves on the full-service experience we deliver—from survey and design, through to manufacture and installation.

Supported by the group's manufacturing capability across 5 UK sites, the Steelway Protect Division has delivered significant year-on-year growth. With ambitious plans for continued expansion, we are now seeking an experienced Lead Engineer to drive innovation, improve design standards, and optimise processes across our product range.

Steelway Protect offers a suite of certified security products. Our portfolio includes:

• Modular buildings (Kiosks)
• Security Access Covers
• Doors
• Fencing
• Roller Shutters
• Cages & Walling Systems
• Cylinder Clamps
• Bespoke developed solutions

We're committed to innovation, quality, and de-risking client projects through seamless, end-to-end delivery. With vast design and manufacturing expertise across the group, we pride ourselves on developing bespoke solutions for our clients where others can't or won't.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a small team of designers in developing new & existing product designs across the Steelway Protect product portfolio.
• Utilise experience & knowledge to ensure a cost-effective & practical approach to manufacture.
• Create, modify, and validate 3D models and assemblies using SolidWorks, producing detailed DXF files & drawings ready for fabrication.
• Develop & maintain a design library of standard components, materials, and processes to drive consistency & efficiency.
• Provide technical guidance & mentorship to other design engineers.
• Collaborate with sales & production teams to ensure designs translate effectively from concept to completion.
• Monitor & review internal processes & use of technology in order to provide practical recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Support the wider business in developing innovative bespoke solutions for high-security applications.
• Offer technical support and guidance to external stakeholders when discussing designs & best practices.

About You

• Proven experience in a senior design or engineering role within a steel or sheet metal fabrication environment.
• Expert-level user of SolidWorks, with strong 3D modelling & assembly design skills.
• In-depth understanding of steel & sheet metal design principles, fabrication methods, & manufacturing processes & constraints.
• Ability to generate accurate DXF files, drawings, and BOMs for production.
• A proven manager or team leader, or someone ready to step in to their first leadership role.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance innovation, practicality, & compliance.
• Excellent communication & collaboration skills, able to work effectively with cross-functional teams & where required, external stakeholders.
• A proactive, detail-oriented professional with a continuous improvement mindset.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary
• Company pension scheme
• 33 days holiday including bank holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Cycle to work scheme

The opportunity to play a pivotal role in the ongoing growth and innovation of the Steelway Protect Division