Mechanical Design Authority (Contract)

CBSbutler; Larkhill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSbutler is supporting a highly advanced engineering and manufacturing organisation at the frontier of propulsion technology. The Mechanical Design Authority will own complex mechanical systems from design through support, across the full product lifecycle.

The role involves leading design reviews, engaging with customers and suppliers, and guiding investigations during trials and data analysis to optimise performance in harsh environments.

Qualifications

• Experience designing safety-critical engineered products.
• Ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Hands-on mindset with strong analytical skills.
• Comfortable leading design activities across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Leading technical design activities on complex engineered products.
• Managing product evolution and ensuring customer compliance.
• Driving design reviews, validation and qualification activities.
• Working with stress, thermal, materials, manufacturing and testing specialists.
• Acting as a technical interface with customers, suppliers and project stakeholders.
• Supporting trials, investigations and product performance assessments.

Skills

Mechanical design

Design reviews

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Customer interface

Hands-on engineering

Job description

We’re supporting a highly advanced engineering and manufacturing organisation at the frontier of propulsion technology, seeking a talented Mechanical Design Authority to join their growing Development team.

This role entails technical ownership of complex mechanical systems, from design to support.

You’ll work across the full product lifecycle — from concept and development through qualification, production and in-service support — on complex, safety-critical systems operating in some of the harshest environments imaginable.

The role combines cutting-edge engineering with real hands‑on involvement. One day you could be leading design reviews and customer technical discussions, the next overseeing live trials, analysing test data or investigating hardware performance.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading technical design activities on complex engineered products


• Managing product evolution and ensuring customer compliance


• Driving design reviews, validation and qualification activities


• Working closely with specialists across stress, thermal, materials, manufacturing and testing disciplines


• Acting as a key technical interface with customers, suppliers and project stakeholders


• Supporting trials, investigations and product performance assessments

We’re looking for engineers who:

• Thrive in technically challenging environment


• Enjoy solving complex multidisciplinary problems


• Have experience developing safety‑critical engineered products


• Can communicate confidently with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders


• Bring a practical, hands‑on mindset alongside strong analytical skills

Why this opportunity stands out:

Work on genuinely unique technology

High level of technical ownership and autonomy

Long‑term career development within advanced engineering