Principal Design Engineer

Safran Actuation Systems

Wolverhampton

On-site

GBP 85,000 - 110,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual bonus

25 days' holiday

Private medical insurance

Flexible working options

Pension and life assurance

Onsite amenities

Job summary

Safran Actuation Systems UK is seeking a Principal Design Engineer for our Wolverhampton site. You will provide technical leadership across the full lifecycle of aerospace products, driving design solutions for aftermarket and in-service support, and ensuring product safety and reliability.

You will manage CAD models, drawings, and configuration data, while coordinating multidisciplinary teams and navigating ECRs, concessions, and non-conformances.

Qualifications

Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
Extensive aerospace aftermarket/product support experience.
Proven CAD modelling and engineering drawing production.
Strong configuration management, BOM knowledge.
Experience managing ECRs and design deviations.
Leadership of technical investigations and design reviews.

Responsibilities

Lead design solutions for aftermarket, in-service, and through-life support.
Produce and approve 3D CAD models and engineering drawings.
Manage product configuration and BOMs throughout lifecycle.
Review and author engineering documentation with signatory authority.
Lead engineering work packages and cross-functional teams.

Skills

CAD modelling

Engineering leadership

Root cause analysis

Design reviews

ECRs & deviations

Stakeholder management

BOM/configuration management

Education

Degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Principal Design Engineer Wolverhampton Hybrid

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's 'World's Best Companies 2025' ranking. Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space. Safran - Here, we craft excellence together. At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

About Safran Actuation Systems UK

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world-class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight-control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best. Our UK Actuation business brings together engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing capability and a proud heritage within the aerospace sector. Whether supporting major global programmes or developing the next generation of actuation technologies, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As part of Safran's global network, joining Safran Actuation Systems UK means becoming part of a highly skilled, collaborative and forward-thinking team with opportunities to grow, innovate and make a meaningful impact in the future of aerospace.

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Aftermarket Design Engineering team as a Principal Design Engineer] at our Wolverhampton site.

Your Role

You will be responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering support across the full lifecycle of aerospace products in service. Acting as a recognised technical authority, you will lead complex engineering work packages, support operational fleets, and drive engineering solutions that maintain product safety, reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Design & Product Support

Lead the development and implementation of design solutions supporting aftermarket, in-service, and through-life support activities.
Produce and approve detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and associated design definitions.

Configuration & Product Data Management

Manage product configuration throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with configuration control processes.
Create, maintain, and approve Bills of Materials (BOMs), parts lists, and product structures.

Engineering Governance & Airworthiness

Review, author, and approve engineering documentation in accordance with delegated authority and signatory privileges.
Support concession activities, design deviations, and non-conformance assessments.

Work Package & Project Leadership

Lead and manage engineering work packages from initiation through to delivery.
Define technical scope, schedules, resource requirements, risks, and deliverables.

Why Safran?

A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.

Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.

Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.

Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we’ll support you to make them a reality.

A culture of excellence: Join a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whatever your background, together we aim for excellence. Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority.

What You'll Bring

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Significant engineering experience, ideally from aerospace within aftermarket, product support, in-service engineering, or sustaining engineering environments.
Proven experience in CAD modelling and engineering drawing production.
Strong understanding of configuration management, BOM management, and product lifecycle management processes.
Experience managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), concessions, design deviations, and non-conformances.
Demonstrated experience leading technical investigations and root cause analysis activities.
Experience chairing or participating in formal design reviews.
Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
Experience leading technical work packages and multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
Significant engineering experience, ideally from aerospace within aftermarket, product support, in-service engineering, or sustaining engineering environments.
Proven experience in CAD modelling and engineering drawing production.
Strong understanding of configuration management, BOM management, and product lifecycle management processes.
Experience managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), concessions, design deviations, and non-conformance assessments.
Demonstrated experience leading technical investigations and root cause analysis activities.
Experience chairing or participating in formal design reviews.
Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
Experience leading technical work packages and multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Experience

Knowledge of aerospace regulatory and airworthiness requirements.
Delegated design signatory approval authority.
Familiarity with aerospace standards including AS9100 and configuration management requirements.

We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including: