Mechanical Design Engineer

Nicholas Associates; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas Associates is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer (Senior) for a South Yorkshire office-based role. You will undertake complex, detailed engineering calculations as part of the design of major capital equipment projects.

Strong experience with design for fabrication, adherence to Eurocodes/BS EN standards, and capability to perform FEA or hand calculations, fatigue and overload analysis is essential. This is an office-based role, 5 days per week.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design for capital equipment projects.
• Experience with structural calculations (loads, deflection, stability, buckling).
• Knowledge of Eurocodes / BS EN standards.
• Experience with design for fabrication, assembly & installation.
• Experience with FEA or hand calculations for critical components.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment failures and perform root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design support frames, platforms, walkways, and mezzanines.
• Perform static and dynamic load analyses and ensure safety compliance.
• Design for fabrication, assembly and installation; ensure maintainability.
• Develop weldments, bolted structures; consider lifting, transport and site constraints.
• Minimise fabrication complexity and cost while meeting standards.
• Adhere to safety standards and machinery directives; support environmental compliance.
• Utilise CAD tools and apply structured methods (FMEA, RCA) where appropriate.

Skills

FEA

Hand calculations

Structural analysis

Load cases

Root cause analysis

Safety standards

Problem solving

CAD experience

Tools

3D CAD package

Job description

Position : Mechanical Design Engineer, Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Location : South Yorkshire

Sector : Medium / Heavy Engineering, Capex Projects

Hybrid : No, this role is office based 5 days per week

Suitable for new Graduate / Masters : No - this role requires proven professional experience gained over the past 3 years in a similar role.

Visa Support / Sponsorship : No, you MUST have the right to live and work in the UK

Other : Working towards Chartered Engineer status beneficial

This is a true Mechanical Design Engineer / Senior Mechanical Design Engineer vacancy which will see you undertaking complex, detailed engineering calculations as part of the design of major capital equipment projects.

Engineering principles that will form part of the job include

• Designing support frames, platforms, walkways, and mezzanines
• Competence in structural calculations (loads, deflection, stability, buckling)
• Familiarity with Eurocodes / BS EN standards (or relevant local codes)
• Design for Fabrication , Assembly & Installation
• Designing weldments, bolted structures, and modular assemblies, considering lifting, transport, and site installation constraints
• Minimising fabrication complexity and cost
• Designing safe access platforms, ladders, handrails, and guarding
• Compliance with safety standards (e.g., Working at Height, machinery directives)
• Ensuring maintainability and operator usability
• Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
• Knowledge of machinery safety standards (e.g., guarding, emergency stops)
• Awareness of environmental regulations (dust, noise, emissions, waste handling)
• Load Case & Failure Analysis
• Assessing static and dynamic loads (impact, vibration, shock loading, wind, snow, seismic)
• Applying FEA or hand calculations for critical components
• Designing against fatigue, failure, and overload conditions
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment failures and inefficiencies
• Applying structured methods (e.g., FMEA, 5 Whys, RCA)

CAD abilities are still important, and we can work with experience of any high-level 3d CAD package.