Lead Mechanical Design Engineer (all genders)

STARK; Swindon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Stark near Oxford is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to own the propulsion hardware design from concept to manufactured parts, including flight-representative engine components and test rigs. You will collaborate with mechanical and aerothermal analysts to ensure designs withstand extreme loads, are manufacturable, and iterated rapidly with data feedback.

The role reports to the Chief Engineer, with potential to lead a small but growing mechanical design team.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing complex mechanical hardware for manufacture and test.
• Experience designing components for high-temperature, high-load environments (gas turbines, rocket engines, ramjets, reciprocating engines, industrial combustion or similar).
• Experience designing flight-weight hardware for the aerospace industry.
• Ability to design from first principles, including selection of COTS components and sizing using first principles and FEA.
• Advanced 3D CAD proficiency; SolidWorks or similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the mechanical design of propulsion hardware from concept to manufactured, tested parts.
• Collaborate with mechanical and aerothermal analysts to ensure robust designs.
• Help build design infrastructure: drawing standards, data management, design review processes.
• Report to the Chief Engineer with potential to lead a mechanical design team as the project grows.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

FEA

Aerospace hardware

COTS components

Manufacture & test

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

At Stark, we forge the future of European and national security through cutting‑edge, AI‑driven technology and unmatched engineering precision. As a premier defence technology company, our mission is clear: to equip NATO Allies and their partners with next‑generation autonomous defence platforms and advanced AI‑driven software built to perform in the world’s most demanding environments.

We believe that true security stems from relentless innovation. By combining elite engineering talent with agile technology and an AI‑native operational culture, Stark turns complex defence challenges into field‑tested, multi‑domain solutions.

WHY JOIN US

• The software and systems you work on directly protect personnel and defend European and national sovereignty.
• You will work alongside industry‑leading minds on autonomous systems, advanced propulsion, and secure cyber platforms.
• We foster a fast‑paced, collaborative environment where bold ideas are supported by serious R&D backing.

About the Role

You will own the mechanical design of our propulsion hardware, from early concept through to manufactured, tested parts. This covers both flight‑representative engine components and the test rigs and ground support hardware needed to develop them. Working closely with the mechanical and aerothermal analysis engineers you will create designs that survive extreme thermal and mechanical loads, can be made quickly and affordably, and can be iterated fast as data comes in and the design develops. You will also support the creation of the design infrastructure that the team will grow with: drawing standards, data management, design review processes.

You will report to the Chief Engineer for the programme. As the project continues you will have the option of building and leading a mechanical design engineering team.

The team is small but growing rapidly. We move fast, learn fast, and make the most of modern tools to maximise progress. We are versatile and happy to turn our hand to a wide range of skills and problems in order to progress, noting that good designs are made at the interfaces and compromises.

Location

Located near Oxford, likely Harwell Campus or Milton Park. Expectation of working on site 4 days/week on average.

About the Candidate

Must have:

• Extensive experience of designing complex mechanical hardware, with a track record of designs taken through to manufacture and test
• Experience designing components for high‑temperature, high‑load environments (gas turbines, rocket engines, ramjets, reciprocating engines, industrial combustion or similar)
• Experience designing flight‑weight hardware for the aerospace industry
• Ability to design from first principles, including selection of COTS components and sizing components using both first principles and FEA.
• Advanced 3D CAD proficiency; we use Solidworks but other similar systems also considered
• Skilled at producing part and assembly drawings for production with excellent knowledge of GD&T and tolerance stack‑up analysis
• Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Beneficial:

• Experience working on supersonic/hypersonic vehicle hardware
• Experience working on aerospace propulsion systems, particularly combustion systems
• Experience of designing for metal additive manufacturing, including design for AM, build orientation, support strategy and post‑processing
• Pressure equipment design to recognised codes (PED, ASME BPVC or similar)
• Experience of setting up PDM/PLM systems, drawing standards, and configuration controls from scratch
• Experience working with topology optimisation systems and parts produced via generative design / topology optimisation

SECURITY CLEARANCE

Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for this position. Details will be provided during the recruitment process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.