Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Ford-; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Hybrid working arrangement

Relocation support available

Job summary

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager for our Gloucestershire facility. This hybrid role oversees the technical authority for product design and development of safety-critical equipment in rail sectors, coordinating with customers to translate challenges into practical solutions.

It encompasses the full product lifecycle from concept through manufacture, testing and delivery, with relocation support for the right candidate and

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status is required.
• Member of IMechE (IMechE) membership preferred.
• Extensive mechanical design experience in heavy engineering or similar.
• Experience designing safety-critical fabrications and assemblies.
• Knowledge of Machinery Directive, CE Marking and UKCA.
• Familiarity with RIS-1530 rail standards.
• Proficient in SolidWorks with FEA.
• Experience producing technical docs, specs and reports.
• Strong customer-facing, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead technical projects from concept through manufacture and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and delivery of bespoke safety-critical equipment.
• Translate engineering challenges into practical, innovative solutions.
• Support existing customers and drive new product development.
• Contribute to growth across construction, utilities and forestry markets.

Skills

Lead technical projects

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Strong customer-facing

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Chartered status with IMechE

Tools

SolidWorks

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Job description

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager - Gloucester (Hybrid) - Up to £65,000 + £5,000 Car Allowance + 10% Bonus

The Company

Our client is a highly respected engineering and manufacturing business with decades of experience designing, developing and producing specialist equipment for the rail and infrastructure sectors. Renowned for innovation, quality and reliability, the company develops, manufactures and tests its products in-house, enabling the rapid delivery of bespoke engineering solutions to some of the UK's leading rail organisations.

The Opportunity & Role

As part of a planned succession strategy, the business is seeking to appoint a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager to become its technical authority for product design and development. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will lead the design, development and delivery of bespoke safety-critical equipment used throughout the rail sector, working closely with customers to translate engineering challenges into practical, innovative solutions.

This highly visible role offers responsibility across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through manufacture, testing and final delivery. The successful candidate will support existing customers, drive new product development initiatives and contribute to the company's continued growth, including opportunities within construction, utilities and forestry markets.

We are seeking a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, building strong customer relationships and seeing innovative ideas brought to life within a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment.

Essential Criteria

• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• Extensive experience in mechanical design engineering within heavy engineering, material handling, lifting equipment or similar sectors
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products and assemblies
• Strong understanding of Machinery Directive requirements, CE Marking and UKCA compliance
• Knowledge of rail industry standards, including RIS-1530
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Experience producing technical documentation, specifications and design reports
• Strong customer-facing, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead technical projects from concept through manufacture and delivery

Salary & Package

• Up to £65,000 per annum
• £5,000 car allowance
• 10% annual bonus
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement

Working Model & Location

• Gloucestershire-based manufacturing facility
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Typically 3 days on-site and 2 days remote
• Regular site presence expected due to product development and manufacturing activities
• UK customer site visits as required
• Relocation support available for the right candidate

About Ford & Stanley Group

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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• Ford & Stanley Genius Performance– Performance coaching, training and mental fitness.

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs, and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.