Principal Design and Applications Engineer

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package up to £8,000

Company bonus

Pension scheme

BUPA medical

Dental cover

Death in service insurance

Cycle to work

Job summary

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Principal Design and Applications Engineer for Cirencester, Gloucestershire. You will own sealing and hydraulic applications from enquiry through design and release, collaborating with customers and suppliers to deliver robust solutions.

The role requires hands-on design expertise with elastomeric, thermoplastic and composite materials, SolidWorks proficiency, and knowledge of GD&T, PPAP, ISIRs and FMEA. A full UK driving licence is essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Design Engineering or Applications Engineering role.
• Experience with sealing products across elastomeric, thermoplastic and composite materials.
• Proficient with SolidWorks and GD&T/tolerance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical contact for customers on sealing and hydraulic applications.
• Provide guidance on seal selection, design and material compatibility.
• Design and specify hydraulic sealing solutions (Rod Seals, Piston Seals, Wipers, Buffer Seals, Wear Rings, O-Rings, Rotary Seals).
• Produce 3D/2D designs using SolidWorks with engineering drawings, GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Select elastomeric/thermoplastic materials (PTFE, PEEK, FKM, FFKM, HNBR, NBR, EPDM, PU).
• Perform sealing calculations (squeeze/stretch, groove fill, extrusion gaps, compression-set).
• Lead root-cause investigations and recommend actions.
• Collaborate with suppliers on manufacturing processes, tooling, tolerances, pre-production builds.
• Apply DfM and DfA across CNC, polymer machining, molding and finishing processes.
• Support PPAP, FAIRs, ISIRs, NCRs, FMEA, 5 Why and 8D quality activities.
• Prepare technical docs: application notes, datasheets, validation reports.
• Occasional site visits to customers and suppliers.

Skills

Sealing products experience

SolidWorks

GD&T

APQP knowledge

Customer communication

Driving licence

Education

Engineering Apprenticeship / HND / Degree

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Principal Design and Applications Engineer

Cirencester, Gloucestershire

£55,000 - £65,000 Per Annum + Excellent Benefits! (See Below)

RELOCATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE - UP TO £8,000

We at JKR are supporting our client, a growing specialist engineering business, providing solutions across a range of industries including Motorsport, Formula 1, Oil & Gas, Pumps, Chemical Processing and Fluid Handling!

They are currently looking for an experienced Principal Design and Applications Engineer to join their engineering team, specialising in sealing and hydraulic applications.

This is a hands‑on, customer‑focused position where you will take ownership of sealing and hydraulic applications from initial customer enquiry through to design and release. You will work closely with customers, suppliers, Sales and Engineering to develop technically robust solutions for demanding applications.

Principal Design and Applications Engineer Responsibilities:

• Act as a technical point of contact for customers regarding sealing and hydraulic applications
• Provide technical guidance on seal selection, design and material compatibility
• Design and specify hydraulic sealing solutions including Rod Seals, Piston Seals, Wipers, Buffer Seals, Wear Rings, O-Rings and Rotary Seals
• Produce 3D and 2D designs using SolidWorks, including engineering drawings, GD&T and tolerance analysis
• Select suitable elastomeric and thermoplastic materials including PTFE, PEEK, FKM, FFKM, HNBR, NBR, EPDM and Polyurethane
• Carry out sealing calculations including squeeze/stretch, groove fill, extrusion gaps and compression‑set allowances
• Lead technical failure analysis and root cause investigations, providing recommendations and corrective actions
• Work closely with suppliers regarding manufacturing processes, tooling, tolerances and pre‑production builds
• Apply DfM and DfA principles across CNC machining, polymer machining, moulding and finishing processes
• Support quality activities including PPAP, FAIRs, ISIRs, NCRs, FMEA, 5 Why and 8D
• Produce technical documentation including application notes, datasheets and validation reports
• Visit customer and supplier sites when required

Principal Design and Applications Engineer Required Experience:

• Previous experience within a Design Engineering or Applications Engineering position
• Strong hands‑on experience with sealing products, ideally across elastomeric, thermoplastic and composite materials
• Strong knowledge of hydraulics and fluid power applications
• Experience with hydraulic cylinder sealing systems including Rod, Piston, Wiper and Buffer Seals
• Good understanding of seal glands, dynamic and static sealing and seal selection
• Knowledge of sealing materials including PTFE, PEEK, FKM, FFKM, HNBR, NBR, EPDM and Polyurethane
• Proficient using SolidWorks
• Experience with GD&T and tolerance analysis
• Confident communicating technically with customers and suppliers
• Knowledge of APQP and associated quality documentation
• Engineering Apprenticeship, HND, Degree or equivalent engineering experience would be beneficial
• Full UK Driving Licence

Experience within Oil & Gas, Motorsport, Pumps, Valves, Compressors, Rotating Equipment or a sealing‑focused manufacturing environment would be particularly advantageous.

Principal Design and Applications Engineer Benefits / Working Hours:

• £55,000 - £65,000 Per Annum
• £5,000 - £8,000 Relocation Package Available
• Monday to Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am - 4:00pm
• 25 Days Holiday, increasing with service
• Company Bonus
• Pension Scheme
• BUPA Medical
• Dental Cover
• Death in Service Insurance
• Cycle to Work Scheme