Mechanical Design Engineer

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

JAM Recruitment Ltd is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join the Through Life Support (TLS) team on-site at Pitstone. The role focuses on enhancing efficiency, providing tactical and strategic leadership, and delivering robust electromechanical solutions within regulated aerospace environments.

You will lead QRQC activities, collaborate with OE and MRO teams, support production schedules, conduct investigations, and drive continuous improvement through design validation,

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience designing complex electromechanical products in regulated sectors.
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex engineering problems with practical solutions.
• Experience defining and tracking performance metrics for design delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven leadership in mentoring design teams and coordinating validation processes.
• Deep understanding of mechanical design principles and practical solutions.
• Strong organisational skills and visibility into project progress.
• Self-motivated with ownership to meet timelines and budgets.
• Solid knowledge of engineering materials, production methods, and design integration.
• Familiarity with Aerospace design processes (R&T, R&D, NPI).
• Proficiency with CAD/PLM tools and interpreting technical analysis docs.
• Ability to perform and review hand calculations for design validation.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen TLS team by providing senior mechanical leadership.
• Lead Level 1/2 QRQC meetings and make technical decisions.
• Collaborate with OE and MRO teams for robust solutions and documentation.
• Support production schedules by addressing engineering issues promptly.
• Lead engineering investigations with thorough analysis and resolution.
• Design robust mechanical solutions from customer and internal requirements.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable and cost-efficient.
• Lead RCA studies and drive continuous improvement.
• Prepare and approve engineering documentation across stages.
• Manage KPIs and engineering budget targets.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Self-management

Education

Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

NX

CATIA

Teamcenter

Windchill

Microsoft Office

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer
40–45 per hour Inside IR35
6–12m
On–site art Pitstone

Job Description

To strengthen the Through Life Support (TLS) team by adding a Senior Level Mechanical Engineer focused on enhancing the team's efficiency and effectiveness.
Provide both tactical and strategic support as needed, ensuring the continued success of project deliverables and contributing to the long–term success of the business.
Engineering Leadership: Represent Engineering at Level 1 / 2 Quick Response Quality Clinic (QRQC) meetings, ensuring technical leadership and decision–making during critical discussions.
Collaboration and Solution Delivery: Work closely with the OE and MRO teams to deliver high–quality engineering solutions and documentation, ensuring seamless collaboration across the business.
Production Support: Support production teams in meeting build schedules by addressing engineering issues promptly and effectively, collaborating with suppliers, assembly, and test teams, and maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders.
Engineering Investigations: Lead the delivery, support, and approval of clear and concise engineering investigations, providing thorough analysis and effective resolutions to complex challenges.
Problem Solving and Resilience: Demonstrate persistence and technical expertise in addressing and resolving challenging engineering problems, ensuring successful outcomes.
Design and Validation: Interpret customer and internal technical requirements to design robust mechanical solutions. Apply a combination of design calculations, analysis, and validation tools to verify and refine designs.
Manufacturing Optimization: Ensure product designs are optimized for manufacture, assembly, and cost efficiency, using Microsoft Office and CAE tools as necessary for verification.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Lead and deliver detailed, thorough Root Cause Analysis studies, identifying key issues and driving corrective actions for continuous improvement.
Continuous Improvement: Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within the team, enhancing both technical and behavioural skills across all team members.
Documentation and Approvals: Author, review, and approve engineering documentation across the engineering and through–life support stages, ensuring accuracy and compliance with standards.
Performance and Budget Management: Adhere to and support the delivery of monthly Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and engineering budget targets, both short– and long–term. Take responsibility for constructing and reporting on these metrics as needed.

Requirements

• Educational Background: A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related design discipline, or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
• Industry Experience: Proven experience in designing complex electromechanical products within highly regulated sectors such as aerospace. Experience in the design and development of rotating machinery, including smart motor and generator technologies is highly desirable.
• Problem Solving: Ability to analyse and resolve complex engineering problems by developing innovative and practical solutions.
• Performance Management: Experience in defining and tracking performance metrics to assess design quality and project delivery, using this data to drive continuous improvement within the team.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear and concise information to both internal and external stakeholders, including team members, suppliers, and customers at all levels.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Experience in leading and mentoring design teams, overseeing technical solutions, and collaborating with experts to ensure comprehensive and effective design outcomes. Ability to manage and coordinate design assurance and validation processes.
• Design Expertise: In–depth knowledge of Mechanical Engineering design principles and practices, with a track record of developing innovative and practical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Organisational Skills: Strong organizational abilities, with a focus on managing both individual and team tasks, ensuring strategic alignment, and providing visibility into team and product progress.
• Self–Management: Proactive and results–oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and the ability to independently manage tasks through to successful completion, ensuring all requirements are met within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Material and Production Knowledge: Solid understanding of engineering materials, production methods, and their application within the design process.
• Aerospace Design Process: Knowledge of the aerospace design and development lifecycle, particularly in environments such as Research & Technology (R&T), Research & Development (R&D), and New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Software Proficiency: Competency in using CAD systems (e.g., NX, CATIA), PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter, Windchill), Microsoft Office, and the ability to interpret and evaluate technical analysis documentation (e.g., Stress FEA, thermal analysis, and bearing calculations).
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in performing and reviewing hand calculations, with a solid understanding of their application to design and engineering solutions.