Lead Engineer – Serial Development

Filtermist Limited; Telford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Filtermist Limited, established in Shropshire, seeks a Senior Design Engineer to lead the design and development of new products across Filtermist, Dustcheck and Kerstar brands from concept to production release. The role blends hands-on design with strong project leadership and cross-functional coordination.

You will work with Purchasing, Production, Test, Quality and Sales, ensuring CE/UKCA compliance and driving NPD through a stage-gate process.

Qualifications

• Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 7+ years of design engineering experience on industrial products.
• Proven track record of leading NPD projects from concept to launch.
• Expert user of Autodesk Inventor and/or SolidWorks.
• Experience with sheet metal construction and modern fabrication methods.
• Knowledge of structural and vessel design.
• Experience with CE/UKCA implementation.
• Willingness to travel, including internationally.
• Experience in dust control, oil mist, LEV or extraction systems.
• Experience with DFMEA.
• Experience with PDM/PLM and ERP systems.
• Lean or continuous improvement experience.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new products from concept to commercial product, and improve existing products to grow market share.
• Produce concepts, engineering calculations, 3D models and drawings using CAD tools.
• Apply structural and vessel design principles, including wind loading for external units.
• Plan and oversee prototyping, testing and validation.
• Develop project estimates, budgets, timelines and milestones.
• Run projects through the stage-gate process with sign-off at each gate.
• Coordinate cross-functional resources to deliver a complete package to sales channels.
• Maintain live project plans and risk registers to inform management.
• Provide monthly progress reports to Head of Engineering.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

PDM/PLM systems

ERP systems

Job description

Company Description

Filtermist Limited, established in Shropshire in 1969 and part of the Swedish Absolent Air Care Group, is dedicated to protecting people by creating cleaner, safer, and more productive working environments. The company provides a wide range of air filtration products and services that remove contaminants such as oil mist, oil smoke, dust, fumes, and VOCs from production facilities. Filtermist is recognized globally for its compact, quiet, and efficient oil mist filters, trusted by leading manufacturers in more than 60 countries. In the UK, the business delivers turnkey solutions from consultation and system design through to manufacture, installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, including LEV testing and air monitoring. Through additional brands such as Dustcheck and Kerstar, and distribution of Absolent AB products, Filtermist offers comprehensive air care and extraction solutions across the UK.

Role Description

The Senior Design Engineer leads the design and development of new products and major product developments across Filtermist’s brands (Filtermist oil mist filters, Dustcheck dust control and Kerstar industrial vacuums), from initial concept through to production release.

The role combines strong hands‑on design capability with a proven projects background. The Senior Design Engineer owns their NPD projects end to end: scope, timescales, cost and risk. They work through a structured product introduction process and coordinate Purchasing, Production, Test, Quality and Sales to deliver a complete, compliant and manufacturable product to market.

The role works alongside the Lead Engineer – Serial Development. The Senior Design Engineer focuses on new products and significant redesigns, handing over formally to Serial Development once a product is released into production.

Key Responsibilities

1. New Product Design & Development

• Design and develop new products from concept to commercial product, and develop existing products to grow market share, reduce cost and widen applications.
• Produce concepts, engineering calculations, 3D models and detailed drawings using Autodesk Inventor and/or SolidWorks.
• Apply structural and vessel design principles, including stiffening for pressure and vacuum ratings, support steelwork, and wind loading for externally sited units.
• Design hopper and flow geometry for effective discharge of product from collectors and filter units.
• Design for manufacture using modern sheet metal fabrication methods, engaging Production early in the design.
• Plan and oversee prototyping, testing and validation.

2. NPD Project Management

• Develop project estimates, budgets, timelines and milestones that are realistic and achievable.
• Run projects through the structured product introduction (stage-gate) process, securing sign-off at each gate.
• Coordinate resources from outside Engineering (Purchasing, Production, Test, Quality, Sales) to deliver a complete package to the company’s sales channels.
• Maintain live, visible project plans, risk registers and project lists.
• Provide monthly reports to the Head of Engineering on progress, cost, timeline and risk.

3. Compliance & Certification

• Ensure new products comply with applicable standards and regulations, including CE/UKCA and, where relevant, ATEX and DSEAR.
• Prepare technical files and obtain relevant certification before launch.
• Maintain correct drawing revision control throughout development.

4. Technical Documentation & Handover

• Prepare drawings, bills of materials, diagrams and technical descriptions for new and updated products.
• Produce or arrange technical manuals, product briefings and training material.
• Complete a formal handover of released products to Serial Development and Production.

5. Technical Support & Collaboration

• Provide technical advice and approval to Purchasing for externally sourced products.
• Support Sales and customers with technical input on new or bespoke applications, including customer meetings and site visits.
• Work with sister companies across the Absolent Air Care Group, consultants and professional bodies to bring in technical expertise when needed.
• Share knowledge with and informally guide less experienced engineers.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant design engineering experience (typically 7+ years) on industrial or manufactured products.
• A proven track record of leading NPD projects from concept to launch, including managing timelines, budgets and cross-functional input.
• Expert user of Autodesk Inventor and/or SolidWorks.
• Extensive sheet metal construction and modern fabrication methods knowledge.
• Knowledge of structural and vessel design.
• Strong command of engineering drawings and revision control.
• Experience of CE/UKCA implementation.
• Experience working within a structured product introduction or stage-gate process.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel, including internationally.
• Experience in dust control, oil mist, LEV or extraction (HVAC) systems.
• Understanding of fluid and powder dynamics.
• Working knowledge of ATEX and DSEAR regulations.
• Experience with DFMEA.
• Experience of PDM/PLM and ERP systems.
• Lean or continuous improvement experience.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or working towards it.