Mechanical Design Engineer

Gael Force Group; Inverness; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave

Cycle to Work Scheme

Career development

Job summary

Gael Force Group in Inverness is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to drive design from concept through prototype to deployment, delivering robust, innovative solutions for sustainable aquaculture.

You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, electronic and software engineers to create value for customers and contribute to large-scale marine projects with hands-on build and field experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new products and enhancements to existing product lines.
• Produce engineering drawings, technical calculations and supporting documentation.
• Support prototype development, testing and product validation.
• Participate in design reviews and product evaluation processes.
• Prepare and maintain bills of materials and engineering records.
• Investigate product performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Liaise with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct site visits and technical investigations where required.
• Support product installations and first-of-type deployments.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements and company standards.

Skills

Mechanical design

CAD software

Technical communication

Time management

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer

Salary: £43,000 to £48,000 DOE

Location: Inverness

Hours: 39 hours per week

Design the Future of Sustainable Aquaculture

Would you like to develop innovative technology that is helping feed a growing global population sustainably?

At Gael Force Group, we’re at the forefront of aquaculture innovation, designing and manufacturing some of the industry’s most advanced equipment and systems. From automated feed systems and underwater camera technology to floating fish pens and large-scale marine infrastructure, our products are used throughout the global aquaculture sector.

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly skilled engineering team working on technology that is genuinely shaping the future of sustainable food production.

Why Join Us?

This is not a role where you’ll spend years making minor changes to existing products.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll take ownership of designs from initial concept through to prototype development, testing, manufacture and deployment. You’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on with first-of-type builds, visit customer sites, and see your ideas become real-world engineering solutions.

The aquaculture industry is evolving rapidly. Unlike many heavily regulated sectors, engineers have the freedom to innovate, challenge conventional thinking and develop novel solutions to complex marine engineering challenges.

Our projects are diverse and technically stimulating. One day you may be designing large offshore steel structures; the next, refining precision-machined components or developing systems that integrate mechanical, electrical and software technologies.

The Role

Working within our multi-disciplinary Product Development team, you’ll contribute to the design, development and improvement of a wide range of products and systems operating within challenging marine environments.

You will collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic and Software Engineers to develop innovative solutions that deliver real value to our customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop new products and enhancements to existing product lines.
• Produce engineering drawings, technical calculations and supporting documentation.
• Support prototype development, testing and product validation activities.
• Participate in design reviews and product evaluation processes.
• Prepare and maintain bills of materials and engineering records.
• Investigate product performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Liaise with suppliers, customers and internal stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct site visits and technical investigations where required.
• Support product installations and first‑of‑type deployments.
• Ensure designs meet customer requirements and company standards.

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in mechanical product design and development.
• Proficiency with CAD software.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to customer and project sites.

Desirable

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
• Experience of engineering development and product lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of marine engineering environments.
• Understanding of the aquaculture industry.

Our Culture

We’re proud of the culture we’ve created within our Engineering team.

We work hard, support each other and enjoy what we do. We believe great engineering comes from collaboration, shared learning and mutual respect.

You’ll be joining a team where:

• Ideas are actively encouraged and valued.
• Engineers take ownership of their work.
• Knowledge and experience are shared freely.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration is part of everyday life.
• Team success is valued above individual ego.
• Workplace politics are replaced by trust, professionalism and a shared commitment to delivering outstanding products.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary of £43,000 to £48,000 DOE.
• 31 days annual leave, increasing with service to 36 days.
• Generous employee discount across over 10,000 product lines.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Career development within a growing international business.
• Opportunity to work on industry-leading technology and innovative engineering projects.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.

Ready to help shape the future of sustainable aquaculture?

If you’re an ambitious engineer looking for challenging projects, genuine ownership of your work and the opportunity to see your designs make a real-world impact, we’d love to hear from you