Principal Mechanical Engineer

Matchtech; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious engineering firm in Cheltenham is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to lead complex design projects. The role demands advanced technical skills, strong communication abilities, and a commitment to high manufacturing standards. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and extensive industry experience. If you are a Chartered Engineer, this position offers an opportunity to influence key engineering solutions and mentor junior staff.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in complex engineering roles.
• Eligibility for security clearance.
• Experience with mechanical aspects of PCB & enclosure design is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design intent and ensure projects meet budget and schedule.
• Prepare and review engineering estimates and bids.
• Communicate technical issues effectively with team and customers.

Skills

Communication

DFM / DFT practices

Configuration management

FEA analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered engineer or equivalent

Tools

CAD tools

PLM tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Able to prepare technical documents and design and develop product data to their functional domain level with no supervision. Capable of technically leading the design intent, delivering design solutions to meet project schedule & budget requirements.

• Apply and scrutinise requirements of a project with no supervision. Capture / derive new requirements related to own domain.

• Be able to technically interface with operations and supply chain ensuring the design intent is met and requirements achieved, applying and developing DFM / DFT practices throughout.

• Leads the preparation and/or reviews engineering estimates & bids, including identifying risks and dependencies within and across functions.

• Advanced communication skills. Capable of presenting ideas and proposals to peers and line managers, including presenting at external design reviews.

• Ability to liaise with support functions (Commercial, Finance, Supply chain etc)

• Awareness of PLM tools.

• Expert at Configuration and Change management and security marking aspects of all documentation. Coaches more junior staff.

• Upholds the company security, commercial licencing for export and ITAR requirements. Coaches more junior staff.

• Leads failure investigations and recommending appropriate solutions, reporting findings to management and customers.

• Capable of leading the resolution of technical challenges, supporting other engineers in the relevant domain.

• Capable of leading large/complex technical work packages within a project guiding other engineers as required to help meet schedule, budget and quality.

• Expert at authoring complex assemblies and drawings & models using at least two of the company selected CAD tools, all dimensioning, applying linear and geometric tolerances, coaches more junior staff.

• Upholds company drawing and modelling standards using best working practices to British and International Standards as necessary. Author's updates to the companies own Draughting Standard Manual, trains and coaches more junior staff.

• Expert at electrical wiring assemblies to British and International Standards, expert working with electronic PCB's and sub-assemblies in electromechanical designs with support to the electronics and systems activities. Influences PCB layouts for mechanical survival during test.

• Competent at FEA analysis and reporting. Basic understanding of CFD. Coaches more junior staff in the task.

• Expert at designing for manufacture and production processes. Robust knowledge of project and engineering lifecycles and comprehensive understanding of own discipline activities.

• Technically competent to assess and manage technical risk in their area and honestly present the detail and the wider impact

• Able to communicate succinctly and accurately on technical issues and schemes with internal and external customers and the team.

• Proactively able to manage own work and the work of others to in order to achieve objectives.

• Uses own initiative and makes timely decisions within the scope of the role and is financially aware of the consequences of decisions.

• Good application of Microsoft packages and relevant software for the role.

• Some offsite travel may be required.

Required Skills & Experience:

Qualifications:

• Relevant qualifications to an appropriate level, typically a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience, with significant post-qualification experience in a range of roles within a relevant complex engineering environment.

• Eligible to obtain any security clearances as appropriate to the local business.

• Preferably a Chartered engineer or equivalent with a recognised professional engineering institution

Desirable:

• Experience with mechanical aspects of PCB & Enclosure design, with focus on designing for EMI & EMC.

• Familiarity with aerospace materials & manufacturing methods

• Understanding of airworthiness and safety for certification. Understands DO-160 and other environmental requirements.