Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Ford & Stanley Select; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual bonus 10%

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd in Gloucester is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design and delivery of safety-critical equipment for rail and infrastructure projects. You will oversee concepts through manufacture and testing, ensuring robust technical outcomes.

The role requires Chartered Engineer status and strong experience in heavy engineering, with a focus on regulatory compliance, customer collaboration, and end-to-end product lifecycle leadership.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent
• Experience in heavy engineering/mechanical design
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products and assemblies
• Strong understanding of Machinery Directive, CE Marking and UKCA compliance
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Experience producing technical documentation, specifications and design reports
• Strong customer-facing, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead technical projects from concept through manufacture and delivery

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and delivery of bespoke safety-critical equipment for rail and infrastructure
• Own and drive product lifecycle from concept to manufacture and test
• Support existing customers and develop new product initiatives
• Collaborate with customers to translate challenges into practical, innovative solutions
• Ensure regulatory compliance and robust technical documentation

Skills

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Heavy engineering experience

Safety-critical design

Machinery Directive/UKCA

SolidWorks + FEA

Technical documentation

Customer-facing skills

Lead technical projects

Tools

FEA tools

Job description

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Gloucester (Hybrid) - Up to £65,000 + £5,000 Car Allowance + 10% Bonus

Our client is a highly respected engineering and manufacturing business with decades of experience designing, developing and producing specialist equipment for the rail and infrastructure sectors. Renowned for innovation, quality and reliability, the company develops, manufactures and tests its products in-house, enabling the rapid delivery of bespoke engineering solutions to some of the UK's leading rail organisations.

Opportunity & Role

As part of a planned succession strategy, the business is seeking to appoint a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager to become its technical authority for product design and development. You will lead the design, development and delivery of bespoke safety-critical equipment used throughout the rail sector, working closely with customers to translate engineering challenges into practical, innovative solutions. This highly visible role offers responsibility across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through manufacture, testing and final delivery. The successful candidate will support existing customers, drive new product development initiatives and contribute to the company's continued growth, including opportunities within construction, utilities and forestry markets. We are seeking a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, building strong customer relationships and seeing innovative ideas brought to life within a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment.

Essential Criteria

• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Strong experience in mechanical design engineering within heavy engineering, construction, agricultural, mining, industrial machinery, or similar
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products and assemblies
• Strong understanding of Machinery Directive requirements, CE Marking and UKCA compliance
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Experience producing technical documentation, specifications and design reports
• Strong customer-facing, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead technical projects from concept through manufacture and delivery

Ideal Experience

• Knowledge of rail industry standards, including RIS-1530
• Experience of mechanical design engineering with material handling, lifting equipment, Track renewals equipment or similar

Salary & Package

• Up to £65,000 per annum
• £5,000 car allowance
• 10% annual bonus
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Flexible hybrid working

Working Model & Location

• Gloucestershire-based manufacturing facility
• Flexible hybrid working arrangement to suit the individual
• Occasional site presence would be good due to product development and manufacturing activities
• Relocation support available for the right candidate

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs, and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy