Mechanical Group Leader

Chess Dynamics Ltd; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chess Dynamics Ltd is seeking a Mechanical Group Leader to lead a team of mechanical engineers in developing sophisticated electro‑mechanical systems for demanding land and maritime environments.

You will mentor and guide design across the full system lifecycle, ensure compliance with safety and defence standards, and collaborate with systems, software, electronics, and electrical engineers to deliver integrated solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:1 Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Extensive design and delivery experience on complex mechanisms and structures across multi-disciplinary projects.
• Several years in leadership roles of projects and personnel.
• Experience with design analysis and performance calculations (FEA, environmental, load bearing structures).
• Experience designing equipment for harsh environments.
• Experience in bid preparation and customer interfacing for new business.
• Proven track record in innovation and new concept designs.
• Proven drive for continuous improvement.
• Broad understanding of manufacturing techniques (machining, sheet metal forming, casting, fabrication, moulding).
• Experience with electromechanical drive mechanisms (motors, gearboxes, ballscrews).
• Experience using SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Mechanical engineers, providing technical guidance and support for complex problem solving and decision making.
• Leadership and continuous improvement of mechanical team tools, training and processes.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, implementing 1:1s, mentoring and development planning.
• Support the sales team by deriving mechanical requirements and providing plans and estimates for bid submission.
• Support IPTs in resourcing and management of mechanical design activities including recruitment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of system components.
• Contribute to engineering goals and strategic planning.
• Keep the business up to date with technological advancements and industry trends.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and defence standards.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Problem solving

Team coaching

Cross-functional

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Eng

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks PDM

Job description

Join a business at the forefront of defence innovation, where precision engineering directly enables mission‑critical surveillance, fire‑control, and radar positioning systems used around the world. As Mechanical Group Leader at Chess Dynamics, you will have the opportunity to lead and inspire a talented team of engineers developing sophisticated electro‑mechanical systems for some of the most demanding land and maritime environments.

As the Mechanical Group Leader at Chess Dynamics, you will play a critical role in overseeing and guiding a team of talented mechanical engineers. Your leadership, technical expertise and application of mechanical engineering design principles will drive the successful development, and implementation, of cutting‑edge electromechanical systems. You will ensure that your team adheres to the highest standards of engineering excellence and compliance and engaging in tactical and strategic growth of the team as it evolves to meet business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Mechanical engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Providing technical guidance and support to team members, assisting with complex problem‑solving and decision‑making
• Leadership and continuous improvement of mechanical team tools, training and processes
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, implementing continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and quality. Engage in staff development to ensure all direct and indirect reports are appropriately supported with 1:1s, mentoring and personal development planning.
• Support the sales team function, derive mechanical requirements, propose concept solutions and provide plans and estimates for bid submission.
• Support Integrated Portfolio Teams (IPTs) in the resourcing and management of all aspects of mechanical design activity including identifying resource needs and lead recruitment activities for the Mechanical team.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including systems, software, electronics and electrical engineers, to ensure seamless integration system components.
• Provide input to engineering team goals and objectives and associated strategic planning.
• Keep the business up to date with latest technological advancements and industry trends, ensuring your team remains at the forefront of innovation.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and defence industry standards throughout the development and deployment of systems design activities.

Essential

• Minimum 2.1 Hons degree Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline
• Extensive experience in design and successful project delivery of complex mechanisms and structures on multi‑disciplinary projects (mechanical, electronics, software) of the full system lifecycle
• Several years experience in leadership roles of projects and personnel
• Have experience in design analysis and performance calculations (FEA, environmental, load bearing structures, etc)
• Experience of designing equipment for use in harsh environments
• In the preparation of bids and interfacing with customers for new business
• Demonstrable experience in innovation and new concept designs
• Demonstrable drive for continuous improvement
• Broad understanding and experience of manufacturing techniques such as machining, sheeting metal forming, casting, fabrication and moulding techniques.
• Experience of working with common electromechanical drive mechanisms (motors/gearboxes/ballscrews…etc)
• Understanding of mechanical requirements driven by electrical and optical requirements and components
• Have experience of using SolidWorks and SolidWorks PDM

Desirable skills

• Have previous experience in a similar level position in a ‘Senior’ level role, preferably in a small or medium‑sized company and/or relevant business model.
• Extensive experience working with the SolidWorks toolset and environment
• Chartered engineer with relevant professional institution
• Familiarity with Atlassian tool suite for task management (Jira/Confluence)

Personal Attributes

• Have the ability to liaise with customers verbally and in writing in an effective manner
• Have excellent stakeholder management and relationship building skills.
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively with all stakeholders to understand diverse and complex requirements.
• Have the ability to fit in and work well both in a team, working autonomously when required.
• Demonstrates company values of Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence and Courage
• Highly organised and methodical approach, with an eye for detail
• A flexible, conscientious, and diligent attitude
• A resilient and adaptable approach at all times

Work life balance

• 37.5 hour working week, Lunchtime finishes on a Friday
• Hybrid / flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave, Christmas closure, Holiday purchasing scheme

Security Clearance Requirements

Due to the nature of our business, our staff need to be able to obtain UK Security Clearance as a mandated requirement. Therefore, if successful, you will need to provide proof of identity, employment history and right to work in the UK, along with proof of UK residency for at least five years.