Mechanical Design Engineer

Bennett and Game Recruitment Ltd; Haywards Heath; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is looking for a Design Engineer to join a well-established engineering team in Haywards Heath. This role involves machinery design, R&D initiatives, product development, and more. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and significant experience in the packaging machinery industry. Strong competencies in SolidWorks and IT skills are essential.

Benefits

8% employer pension contribution

Annual performance-related bonus

Company mobile phone & laptop

Optional private medical healthcare

Death-in-service benefit

Strong career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience within the packaging machinery industry or a related sector.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop machinery for customer projects.
• Contribute to R&D initiatives and product development.
• Produce build manuals, user manuals, and testing documentation.

Skills

SolidWorks competency

Experience with SolidWorks/EPDM Vault

Strong IT skills, including MS Office applications

Good understanding of pneumatic control systems

Knowledge of ATEX and CE marking requirements

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Design Engineer Job Overview

Due to continued growth, there is an exciting opportunity to join a well‑established engineering team specialising in the design and manufacture of manufacturing machinery. The successful applicant will be involved in a wide range of activities within the engineering department and will report to the Lead Engineer. Responsibilities will include machinery design for customer projects, R&D initiatives, product development, and cost‑saving improvements. The role may also involve equipment testing, occasionally in the presence of customers. You will be expected to take full ownership of design, development, and release of machines for manufacture, as well as the production of build manuals, user manuals, statutory documentation, and testing documentation. The engineering team currently includes a group of Mechanical Design Engineers and Control & Automation Engineers. The right candidate will be a strong team player with a sound understanding of engineering principles, technical drawings, and industry standards, combined with a proactive and committed approach.

Design Engineer Job Requirements

We are looking for a proactive, positive, and collaborative individual with both creativity and structure—someone who can bring innovative ideas while maintaining the discipline required to deliver high‑quality outputs on time. Strong attention to detail and a "right first time" attitude are essential.

Key skills and attributes include:

• SolidWorks competency
• Experience with SolidWorks/EPDM Vault (advantageous)
• Strong IT skills, including MS Office applications
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Good understanding of pneumatic control systems
• Knowledge of ATEX and CE marking requirements (preferred)
• Ideally 5+ years’ experience within the packaging machinery industry or a related sector

Design Engineer Salary & Benefits

Salary circa £45,000 DOE

Location: West Sussex (close to a mainline train station for easy commuting)

Hours: 35 per week, with flexibility required on occasion

• 8% employer pension contribution
• Annual performance‑related bonus
• Annual pay review
• Company mobile phone & laptop
• Optional private medical healthcare
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Strong career progression opportunities