Mechanical Design Engineer

React Recruitment Limited; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

React Recruitment Limited seeks a Chartered Mechanical Design Engineer to lead multi–million–pound portfolios across pharma, chemicals, energy, and food & beverage. You will guide projects from concept through to detailed design and site installation, operating across the UK with occasional overseas travel.

Applicants should have a CEng, 5+ years’ experience, and advanced Autodesk/FEA tooling proficiency. A full UK driving license and right to work in the UK are essential.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical discipline with chartered status or working towards it.
• Minimum 5 years of post-graduate mechanical design experience in industry.
• Proficient with advanced Autodesk tools and piping/FEA analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical designs from feasibility to fabrication and site installation.
• Create high-quality 2D/3D layouts, equipment arrangements, skids and isometrics.
• Perform FEA and piping stress analyses to verify performance.
• Conduct site surveys using 3D laser scanning and point-cloud tools.
• Coordinate with clients, suppliers, and internal teams to deliver projects.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Piping stress analysis

Finite element analysis

Client liaison

Education

BEng/MEng/MSc in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng) status

5+ years post-graduate experience

Full UK driving license

Right to work in the UK

ASME B31.3 / EN 13480 knowledge

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

AutoCAD Plant 3D

ROHR2

CAESAR II

Nastran

ANSYS

Navisworks

Autodesk ReCap

ANSYS Fluent

Job description

Job Title: Chartered Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Maidstone, Kent – Office based with UK and occasional overseas travel

Salary: Competitive (Dependent on experience)

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Sector: Engineering Consultancy, Process and Manufacturing

Chartered Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you a Chartered Mechanical Engineer looking for a technically challenging role where you can lead projects from concept to reality? Do you thrive on diversity, designing complex systems across industries like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, and food & beverage?

This is an exceptional opportunity to utilize your advanced mechanical engineering expertise, 3D plant layout skills, and analytical capabilities on a wide range of multi–million–pound industrial portfolios across the UK and overseas.

Essential Requirements:

• BEng (Hons), MEng, or MSc in Mechanical Engineering (or a closely related discipline).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status via a recognized professional institution.
• Minimum 5 years of post–graduate mechanical design experience within an industrial, manufacturing, or process engineering environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Autodesk packages (AutoCAD 2D, Inventor, AutoCAD Plant 3D).
• Demonstrated capability in piping stress analysis (ROHR2, CAESAR II, or equivalent) and FEA (Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent).
• Full UK driving license and willingness to travel to UK client sites with occasional overseas travel.
• Full, unrestricted right to work in the UK (Visa sponsorship is not available for this role).

Desirable (But Not Essential):

• Experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS Fluent.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Navisworks for clash detection or Autodesk Revit.
• Hands–on experience processing point–cloud data via Trimble tools or Autodesk ReCap.
• Familiarity with international engineering standards such as ASME B31.3 and EN 13480.

Key Responsibilities:

Full Lifecycle Design: Lead mechanical engineering designs from early feasibility and concept development through to detailed fabrication and site installation.

• Advanced Modelling: Produce high–quality 2D/3D engineering layouts, equipment arrangements, structural access skids, and piping isometric drawings.
• Technical Analysis: Perform finite element analysis (FEA) and piping stress analysis to validate structural and system performance.
• Site Surveying & Scanning: Conduct site surveys and inspections using advanced 3D laser scanning and point–cloud technology.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise directly with clients, suppliers, fabricators, and internal multidisciplinary teams to ensure flawless project delivery.
• Team Guidance: Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and quality design reviews for junior engineers within the team.