Mechanical Design Engineer – Rotating Equipment

ALTEN; Luton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Employee assistance programme

Life insurance

Team events

Flexible working

Career development

Job summary

ALTEN is seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to work on an aerospace programme in the rotating equipment domain. Based in Luton, the role is on-site, with a strong emphasis on high-precision mechanical components and assemblies designed for reliability in demanding environments.

You will create 3D CATIA V5 models, produce 2D drawings, and apply GD&T while selecting suitable steel and aluminium alloys.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Experience in aerospace industry.
• Design experience with gearboxes, electric motors, generators, or rotating machinery.
• Experience designing shafts, bearings, gears or precision rotating components.
• Knowledge of tolerance stack-ups and high-precision design.
• Understanding of machining, heat treatment and surface finishing.
• Experience in safety-critical or highly regulated environments.
• Strong CAD skills and ability to interpret drawings.

Responsibilities

• Design high-precision mechanical components and assemblies for aerospace.
• Create 3D CATIA V5 models and assemblies.
• Prepare and review 2D manufacturing drawings.
• Apply GD&T to define functional tolerances.
• Define micrometre-level tolerances for precision parts.
• Select materials like steel and aluminium alloys.
• Assess manufacturability and design for manufacture.
• Support design reviews across product lifecycle.
• Coordinate with Stress, Materials, Manufacturing, QA, and Systems teams.
• Assist manufacturing with issue resolution.
• Review drawings and specifications.
• Support design changes and improvements.
• Ensure designs meet aerospace quality and safety requirements.

Skills

Mechanical design

3D modelling

GD&T

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering

Equivalent military experience

Tools

CATIA V5

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineer – Rotating Equipment

• Full-time
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Region: South West UK

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

ALTEN is looking for an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to join an exciting aerospace engineering programme focused on the design and development of high-precision rotating mechanical systems and components.

• Location: Luton
• On Site: 3xonsite

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop high-precision mechanical components and assemblies for aerospace applications.
• Create detailed 3D models and assemblies using CATIA V5.
• Produce and review comprehensive 2D manufacturing drawings.
• Apply GD&T principles to define functional requirements and ensure components can be manufactured and inspected correctly.
• Define appropriate dimensional and geometric tolerances for high-precision components, including micrometre-level requirements where applicable.
• Design mechanical components used within rotating equipment and power transmission systems.
• Select suitable engineering materials, particularly steel and aluminium alloys, considering strength, weight, durability, operating conditions and manufacturability.
• Select appropriate manufacturing processes based on material, geometry, tolerance, surface finish and performance requirements.
• Consider manufacturing capability throughout the design process to deliver robust and manufacturable engineering solutions.
• Perform engineering assessments including tolerance analysis and tolerance stack-ups where required.
• Support component and assembly design reviews throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Work closely with Stress, Materials, Manufacturing, Quality and Systems Engineering teams.
• Support manufacturing teams with the resolution of design and production-related technical issues.
• Review engineering drawings, design specifications and technical documentation.
• Support engineering changes, design modifications and product improvements.
• Ensure designs meet applicable aerospace quality, safety and engineering requirements.

Required Skills:

• Previous professional experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer within aerospace or another high-precision engineering environment.
• Strong hands‑on experience with CATIA V5.
• Proven experience in 3D part modelling and assembly design.
• Strong experience producing 2D detailed manufacturing drawings.
• Good practical knowledge of GD&T / geometric tolerancing.
• Experience designing components requiring tight dimensional and geometric tolerances.
• Good knowledge of metallic engineering materials, particularly steel and aluminium.
• Understanding of material selection and how material properties influence mechanical design.
• Good knowledge of manufacturing processes and Design for Manufacture.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and manufacturing requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, orequivalentmilitary experience.
• Previous experience within the aerospace industry.
• Mechanical design experience with gearboxes, electric motors, generators or rotating machinery.
• Experience designing shafts, bearings, gears or precision rotating components.
• Knowledge of tolerance stack-ups and high-precision mechanical design.
• Understanding of machining, heat treatment and surface finishing processes.
• Experience working within a safety‑critical or highly regulated engineering environment.

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private MedicalInsurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings &team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.