Mechanical Design Engineer - Propulsion

NIF; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Greenjets is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to turn engine concepts into precise, buildable hardware. You will focus on rotating assemblies, shafts, bearing housings and interfaces with tight tolerances and robust design methods.

You'll work with propulsion engineers, manufacturing and testing teams from CAD through to assembly and validation, balancing performance, cost and repeatability in a hands-on environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Proven ability in detailed mechanical design using 3D CAD.
• Experience designing precision machined metallic components with tolerance awareness.
• Proficient in GD&T, tolerance stack-ups and manufacturing drawings.
• Hands-on approach with shafting, bearing assemblies and rotating hardware.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed mechanical designs for engine components and rotating assemblies.
• Create precision machined parts such as shafts and bearing housings with tight tolerances.
• Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, drawings and GD&T with clear datum strategies.
• Define fits, clearances and interfaces considering manufacturing variation and thermal effects.
• Select materials and finishes for temperature, fatigue and wear conditions.
• Design for manufacture and assembly, coordinating with suppliers and manufacturing teams.
• Support prototype assembly and engine testing, diagnosing fit, alignment, vibration and wear issues.
• Iterate designs based on inspection results and test feedback.

Skills

3D CAD

GD&T

Rotating assemblies

Engineering drawings

Shafts & bearings

Materials & finishes

Prototype-to-production

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

Job description

About Us:

Greenjets is an innovative engineering company developing high-performance propulsion systems for the aviation market. Our work spans research and development, engine production, aircraft systems, technical integration and flight testing. We are committed to delivering high-grade engineering and best-in-class propulsion for unmanned aircraft.

We do things differently. We move fast, we experiment and we adopt technologies that push beyond the current state of the art. Our aim is to go further, faster and more efficiently, while keeping costs competitive.

All our propulsion systems are designed, developed and manufactured in the UK. We focus on high quality, reliable and cost effective products supported by a robust, secure and ethical supply chain.

About the Job:

As a Mechanical Design Engineer at Greenjets, you'll turn engine concepts into precise, buildable hardware. Your focus will be the detailed design of rotating assemblies and supporting structures: shafts, bearing arrangements, bladed components, housings and interfaces where dimensional accuracy, material selection and assembly control are critical.

You'll design for demanding combinations of rotational speed, temperature, vibration and loading. That means understanding how components behave together—from bearing fits and shaft alignment to thermal growth, running clearances and balance.

Working closely with propulsion engineers, manufacturing and test teams, you'll own designs from initial CAD through manufacture, assembly and testing. This is a practical role for someone who enjoys making precision hardware work in the real world.

What You'll Do:

• Develop detailed mechanical designs for engine components, rotating assemblies and supporting hardware.

• Design precision machined metallic parts, including shafts, bearing housings, casings and bladed rotating components.

• Produce high-quality 3D CAD models, manufacturing drawings and GD&T, supported by clear datum strategies and tolerance stack-up analysis.

• Define fits, clearances and interfaces that account for manufacturing variation, assembly requirements and thermal expansion.

• Select materials, surface finishes and treatments appropriate to temperature, fatigue, wear and operating loads.

• Design for manufacture and assembly, working with suppliers and manufacturing teams to balance performance, cost and repeatability.

• Support prototype assembly and engine testing, investigating issues with fit, alignment, vibration, wear and component performance.

• Refine designs using inspection results, test data and feedback from the workshop.

Desirable Qualifications, Experience & Attributes:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

• Strong experience in detailed mechanical design using 3D CAD, such as SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX or similar.

• Experience designing precision machined metallic components, with a sound understanding of machining processes and achievable tolerances.

• Confident use of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, engineering fits and manufacturing drawings.

• Practical understanding of shafts, bearings, rotating assemblies and the effects of speed, vibration and thermal growth.

• Ability to translate engineering requirements into hardware that can be manufactured, inspected and assembled reliably.

• A hands-on approach, with a willingness to work alongside manufacturing and test teams to resolve problems.

• Comfortable taking ownership, working with incomplete information and iterating quickly as evidence develops.

Particularly Relevant Experience:

• Mechanical design of engines, turbomachinery or other high-speed rotating equipment.

• Fan, compressor or turbine component design, including rotor assemblies and their supporting structures.

• Bearing selection and integration, rotor balancing, lubrication arrangements or sealing systems.

• Designing components exposed to elevated temperatures, cyclic loading and fatigue.

• Taking hardware from prototype development into repeatable production.

Aerospace experience is helpful, but we also welcome relevant backgrounds in automotive, motorsport, power generation and precision rotating machinery.