Principal Design Engineer

Wakefield Acoustics; Heckmondwike; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A key position at Wakefield Acoustics as a Principal Design Engineer, where you'll lead a team of engineers to drive innovation in thermal acoustic solutions. This role demands strong technical leadership, extensive design experience, and the capacity to mentor junior engineers. You will ensure that projects are completed on time and in line with stringent quality and engineering standards, contributing to a sustainable future in environmental stewardship.

Benefits

Pension scheme

Health cover

Production bonuses

25 Days Holiday + 8 Bank Holidays

Electric car scheme

Qualifications

• Outstanding communication skills across all levels.
• Extensive design experience in manufacturing or power generation.
• General understanding of engineering principles.

Responsibilities

• Technical leadership and project oversight for design engineers.
• Manage and direct a team, setting goals and assigning tasks.
• Ensure projects meet specifications and quality standards.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Analytical Ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Relevant MSc

Job description

Job Summary

CECO Environmental is a global leader in providing sustainable solutions for industrial air, water, and energy transition. Since 1966, we’ve been addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our mission is to protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment, making a tangible impact across industries like renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, power generation, and water treatment. As a purpose-driven company, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and integrity, ensuring that every project we undertake creates lasting positive change. At CECO, you’ll be part of a growing, dynamic team committed to a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future.

As part of the CECO Environmental family of brands, Wakefield Acoustics plays a critical role in delivering specialized thermal acoustic solutions that protect both people and the environment. By joining our team, you’ll contribute to our shared mission of protecting global industrial operations and shaping the future of environmental stewardship.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Principal Design Engineer (PDE) is responsible for technical leadership, project oversight, & mentoring all design engineers, often with a focus on driving innovation and strategic direction within a company and the detailed design engineering solution for projects design requirements. The PDE will provide technical input, design, and expert advice in relation to all aspects of design for projects, mentoring, training & assisting the design team. They will ensure engineering excellence and buildability in all mechanical & electrical aspects of design for projects. The PDE owns and maintains product standards and specifications in accordance with BS/EN and Wakefield Acoustics own standards, modelling - best practices / standards, and design / drawing - standards / best practices. The PDE will take responsibility for assigning designers to projects to ensure they are designed, can be installed & delivered on time and meets the customer specifications

Job Responsibilities / Key Accountabilities

Key Job roles to include but not limited to.

• Principal Engineers manage and direct a team of engineers and technicians, setting goals, assigning tasks, and providing guidance. To manage and direct the team of engineers and technicians, setting goals, assigning tasks, and providing guidance.
• Ensure that projects are designed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with any specifications & standards issued by clients, any associated BS/Euro standards and Wakefield Acoustics own standards and process.
• Highlight risks & opportunities within the business to identify potential improvements in our design process and support the business to seek out further improvements.
• Design and development: They participate in creating technical specifications, conducting research, and performing simulations and analyses.
• Ensure that the design team communicate & work with other departments (Sales, Quality, Design and Production) to ensure that processes & procedures are reviewed, enhanced & developed working towards right first time.
• Work with design & sales to standardize & develop standard parts & processes.
• Consult with Project Manager’s and the factories to ensure smooth running of projects and attend or assign members of the engineering team to attend technical meetings as & when required.
• Attend or assign members of the engineering team to attend design meetings, design reviews and/or kick off meetings as & when required to ensure that the design is aligned with the scope of work and specifications.
• Respond to internal and external technical inquiries.
• Quality Assurance: Assign design testing methods and fixtures, and confirm fabrication, assembly, and installation processes to assure systems and product quality.
• Implement improvement processes as and when required as the business develops.
• Support sales and proposals during tendering and when quotation for projects.
• Train, mentor and assist design engineers in their skill and experience and the development of the engineering team.
• Represent Wakefield Acoustics technical capabilities to the customer.
• Staying current: Keeping up to date with developments in their field by attending workshops, conferences, and participating in professional organisations.
• Ensure that the design team continually update the business and systems (Epic flow daily) and that there is a design presence for any production (or other meetings) that the design team is invited to attend.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in continuous improvement activities to enhance product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure that the engineering team work efficiently and effectively, holding the team to account and ensure that designs are issued on time, the designs incorporate all the attributes to be built, and that the quality of the drawings are kept to a high standard.
• Encouraging, supporting, embracing & focusing on the engineering team to the typical challenges encountered on projects.

List of Essential knowledge and experience

• Outstanding Communication skills – ability to communicate effectively at all levels, verbally, in writing and in group setting.
• Extensive design experience. (Ideally in the manufacturing & power generation industry specifically diesel generators or switch gear).
• BSc, MSc or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• General understanding of engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of the application of mechanical /structural / engineering / Electrical - codes and standards.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills, with the drive and resolve to drive projects forward without conceding on the specification & scope of work and quality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of Engineering systems, process, best practice.
• Strong analytical ability and a clear thinker.
• Experienced in balancing engineering risks and business priorities.
• Outstanding technical ability in mechanical and electrical engineering, with a focus on power generation & electrical machines.
• Ability to provide, understand and conduct verbal and written instructions.

List of Desirable knowledge and experience

• BSc, MSc or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Chartered membership of relevant professional body.
• Experience with steel manufacturing.
• Experience within the power generation industry.
• Structural engineering experience.
• Acoustic engineering experience.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum: A bachelor's degree in engineering
• Fields of study: Engineering – General, Structural, Mechanical, Acoustics
• Microsoft Office skills required

Functional & Technical Skills Required

• Commercial Awareness
• Team Management
• Technical Understanding

We Offer:

At CECO, we are committed to a culture where every employee is valued and respected for their unique experiences and perspectives. We believe a diverse and inclusive work environment contributes to the rich exchange of ideas and diversity of thoughts, that inspires innovation and brings the best solutions to our customers.

The hours of work are Monday to Thursday 08.30 to 17.00 and Friday 08.30-14.30 (37.5 hours per week)

Pay Rate: £60,000 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience

Wakefield Acoustics Employee Benefits

• Pension: 5% employee, 3% employer contribution.
• Health Cover and Employee Assistance Programme: Westfield Health
• The production bonus is made of three elements of £100 sales, £100 quality & £50 attendance. Paid each quarter
• Death in service – 2x annual salary
• 25 Days Holiday + 8 Bank Holidays
• Electric car scheme – subject to affordability (after probation period)

ABOUT US

CECO’sCommitment to Our People

At CECO, our people are at the center of everything we do. Whether you’re a professional looking for a career change, an undergraduate student exploring opportunities, or a recent graduate with an advanced degree, you’ll find your chance to make a difference with CECO.

ABOUT CECO

CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment, and industrial equipment across the globe, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water and energy transition markets.

We serve these markets and our global customers through our key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Learn more about CECO by visitingAbout Us.

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