Mechanical Group Leader – Defence & Advanced Engineering

Mane Contract Services; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish every Friday

Hybrid and flexible working

28 days annual leave

Christmas shutdown

Job summary

Mane Contract Services is seeking an experienced Mechanical Group Leader in the United Kingdom to lead a high‑performing team responsible for complex electro‑mechanical systems in defence and engineering applications. You will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle and work with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions.

You will drive continuous improvement, participate in resource planning and recruitment, and shape the future direction of the engineering function

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or closely related discipline (minimum 2:1).
• Extensive experience designing complex mechanisms and structures in multidisciplinary environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing projects and engineering teams.
• Strong background in design analysis, FEA and performance calculations.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, sheet metal forming, casting and moulding.
• Experience with electromechanical drive systems including motors, gearboxes and ballscrews.
• Strong understanding of interaction between mechanical, electrical and optical systems.
• Chartered Engineer status.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Mechanical Engineers.
• Provide technical guidance on complex engineering challenges and design decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes, tools and training.
• Support project planning, resource allocation and recruitment activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support business development through concept generation, cost estimation and bid support.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory and industry standards.
• Monitor team performance and coach for development.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

FEA

SolidWorks

PDM

Jira

Confluence

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

PDM

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Are you an experienced mechanical engineering leader looking to take ownership of a high-performing team developing complex electro-mechanical systems for demanding defence and engineering applications?

We are seeking a Mechanical Group Leader to lead, mentor and develop a team of talented engineers responsible for the design and delivery of sophisticated mechanical systems operating in challenging land and maritime environments.

This is an opportunity to combine technical excellence with leadership, influencing both current programmes and the future direction of the engineering function.

The Role

As Mechanical Group Leader, you will provide technical leadership across the full product lifecycle, supporting projects from early concept development through to delivery. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams including systems, software, electronics and electrical engineering specialists to develop innovative and reliable engineering solutions.

You will play a key role in team development, continuous improvement initiatives, resource planning, recruitment and strategic growth, ensuring the engineering team remains at the forefront of industry innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Mechanical Engineers.
• Provide technical guidance on complex engineering challenges and design decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement across engineering processes, tools and training.
• Support project planning, resource allocation and recruitment activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support business development activities through concept generation, cost estimation and bid support.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory and industry standards.
• Monitor team performance and champion professional development through coaching and mentoring.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and engineering best practice.

What We're Looking For

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline (minimum 2:1).
• Extensive experience designing complex mechanisms and structures within multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing projects and engineering teams.
• Strong background in design analysis, FEA and performance calculations.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes including machining, fabrication, sheet metal forming, casting and moulding.
• Experience with electromechanical drive systems including motors, gearboxes and ballscrews.
• Strong understanding of the interaction between mechanical, electrical and optical systems.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and PDM environments.
• Experience supporting customer engagements, bids and new business opportunities.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience in a senior engineering leadership role within a technology-focused organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of the SolidWorks toolset.
• Experience using Jira and Confluence.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong relationship-building capabilities.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
• Collaborative, resilient and adaptable.
• Comfortable working autonomously and as part of a wider team.
• Passionate about developing people and driving engineering excellence.
• Early finish every Friday
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• 28 days annual leave
• Christmas shutdown

If you're a proven engineering leader looking to shape the future of advanced mechanical systems while developing and inspiring a talented team, we'd love to hear from you.

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