Principal Design Engineer

Expleo Group; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative environment

ExpleoAcademy training

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Expleo Group is seeking a Principal Design Engineer to lead the design and development of geared transmission systems for marine projects. You will shape complex engineering solutions, develop innovative tools and processes, and deliver decarbonisation initiatives across global maritime programmes.

You will mentor engineers, ensure regulatory compliance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet milestones while producing thorough technical documentation and CAD models using Solid Edge.

Qualifications

• Degree in a STEM discipline or equivalent experience.
• Chartered membership with a relevant engineering institution (e.g., IMechE, IMarEST, IET).
• Experience in heavily regulated industries such as Marine, Aerospace or Defence.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles and rotating machinery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design and development of geared transmission systems and components.
• Develop new designs and manage modifications throughout the lifecycle.
• Support engineering planning to meet project milestones.
• Design gearbox test equipment and procedures.
• Interpret customer specs and GD&T requirements.
• Lead engineering activities with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure designs meet regulatory, safety and performance requirements.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation and drawings.
• Create/review 2D/3D CAD models and BOMs using Solid Edge and SAP.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing and supply chain.
• Lead DFMEA/PFMEA and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor engineers and develop the engineering capability of the team.

Skills

Geared transmission design

CAD modelling (Solid Edge)

BOM management (SAP)

GD&T expertise

Engineering documentation

Regulatory compliance

Mentoring

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Chartered engineer (IMechE/IMarEST/IET)

Tools

Solid Edge

SAP

Job description

Overview

Expleo is a trusted partner for end-to-end, integrated engineering, quality services and management consulting for digital transformation. We help businesses harness unrelenting technological change to successfully deliver innovations that will help them gain a competitive advantage and improve the everyday lives of people around the globe.

We have several exciting on-going projects with clients across both commercial & naval marine domains and are seeking to expand our existing Marine Engineering capability.

As a Principal Design Engineer every day at Expleo will be out of the ordinary and will require you to be dynamic and responsive to changes in technology, innovation, and client requirements. You will have the opportunity to get involved in concept vessel design, complex engineering design, creation of new & innovative tools & processes, delivery of engineering consultancy services, and the development of decarbonisation solutions & other emerging technologies across a wide range of global maritime programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering design and development of geared transmission systems and associated components.
• Develop new designs and manage modifications to existing products throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Contribute to engineering planning and scheduling to support the timely delivery of design outputs and project milestones.
• Design gearbox test equipment and develop associated test procedures.
• Interpret and apply customer specifications, engineering standards, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) requirements.
• Lead engineering activities on assigned projects while collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including Analysis, Development, Production Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Ensure designs meet customer, regulatory, safety, and performance requirements.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, including proposals, manuals, installation guides, maintenance instructions, and engineering reports.
• Create, review, and approve 2D and 3D CAD models and drawings, with expertise in Solid Edge preferred.
• Manage Bills of Materials (BOMs), gear data generation, drawing reviews, technical documentation checks, and engineering change control processes.
• Provide technical support and problem-solving expertise to manufacturing and supply chain functions.
• Lead and participate in Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and develop engineering team members, promoting technical excellence, consistent engineering practices, and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in a relevant STEM discipline (e.g.,Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering), or equivalent experience.
• Professional member of a relevant engineering institution (e.g., IMechE, IMarEST, IMechE, IET).

Essential skills

• Comprehensive understanding of mechanical design principles and engineering best practice.
• Extensive knowledge of geared transmission systems and rotating machinery design.
• Proven capability in:
  • Material selection and application.
  • Gear design and rating calculations.
  • Shaft, bearing and rotor dynamic analysis.
  • Structural design and assessment.
  • Coupling specification and integration.
  • Lubrication system design.
  • Instrumentation and control system interfaces.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing methods, production processes, and design-for-manufacture principles.
• In-depth knowledge of engineering materials, heat treatment processes, and material processing techniques.
• Sound understanding of machinery safety legislation and the implementation of safe engineering solutions.
• Proficiency in SAP for engineering data management, BOM control, and configuration management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Excellent technical communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with customers, suppliers, manufacturing teams and multidisciplinary engineering functions.
• Ability to provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and support the development of engineering capability across the team.

Experience

• Experience within a heavily regulated industry e.g. Marine, Aerospace, Defence etc.
• Chartered member of a relevant engineering institution (e.g., IMechE, IMarEST, IMechE, IET)
• Experience applying internationally recognised standards and design codes, including ISO, AGMA, DIN, FKM and DNV.

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and ourpeers through good times and challenges
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
• ExpleoAcademy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
• Competitive company benefits
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
• Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
• Communicating and promoting vacancies
• Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
• Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
• Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive