Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Ford & Stanley Select; Painswick; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual bonus

Hybrid working

Enhanced Pension Scheme

Job summary

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer for our Gloucestershire facility. The role combines leadership of design and development of bespoke, safety-critical equipment for rail and related sectors, with direct customer collaboration.

We require Chartered Engineering credentials, proficiency in SolidWorks/FEA, and a track record of leading projects from concept to production. Hybrid working and relocation support are offered where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with experience in heavy engineering.
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products.
• Strong understanding of Machinery Directive, CE Marking and UKCA.
• Proficient in SolidWorks with 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.
• Act as technical authority for product design and development.
• Translate engineering challenges into practical, innovative solutions with customers.
• Support existing customers and drive new product development.
• Oversee full product lifecycle from concept through manufacture and testing.
• Occasional site presence; collaborate across construction, utilities and forestry markets.

Skills

CEng

Mechanical design

Safety-critical design

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA

Job description

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

The Company

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.

The 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