Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Ford & Stanley Select; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Car allowance

Job summary

Ford & Stanley Select is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager for our Gloucestershire facility. You will act as technical authority for product design, leading the development and delivery of safety-critical rail equipment and coordinating with customers from concept to final delivery.

The ideal candidate is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with IMechE membership, SolidWorks and FEA experience, and a proven history of leading heavy engineering projects.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with IMechE membership.
• Extensive mechanical design experience in heavy engineering or similar sectors.
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products and assemblies.
• Strong knowledge of Machinery Directive, CE Marking and UKCA compliance.
• Knowledge of rail industry standards, including RIS-1530.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including FEA.
• Experience producing technical documentation and design reports.
• Strong customer-facing and stakeholder management 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.
• Oversee full product lifecycle from concept to manufacture and testing.
• Support existing customers and drive new product development.
• Collaborate with customers to deliver on-time solutions.

Skills

CEng

IMechE Member

Mechanical design

Safety-critical design

Machinery compliance

RIS-1530 knowledge

SolidWorks

FEA

Technical documentation

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

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

Equal Employment Opportunity / Diversity Statement

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