Senior Design Engineer

Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Marine Resources Recruitment Ltd seeks a Senior Design Engineer to lead design across composite and mechanical disciplines in a luxury yacht context. Based in Southampton, you will guide projects from concept through delivery, creating robust 3D models and drawings for in-house and subcontract fabrication teams.

You will develop vessel systems and tooling concepts, maintain BOM integrity, and mentor junior engineers, while collaborating with external design teams and clients to ensure

Qualifications

• 5-8 years in marine design or luxury yacht sector.
• Portfolio of previous work is advantageous.
• Strong CAD skills in Rhino and AutoCAD with a design-for-production mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead project-based design from concept to delivery.
• Produce detailed 3D models and drawings for tooling and fabrication.
• Develop vessels’ mechanical and composite systems.
• Collaborate with shop floor to optimize production-led solutions.
• Mentor junior team members.

Skills

Marine design

Leadership

Attention to detail

Education

BEng / MEng

Tools

Rhino 3D

AutoCAD 2D

MS Office

Job description

Senior Design Engineer - Composites / Mechanical

Location: Southampton

Permanent, Full Time

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000

An established design and manufacturing team is seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join their Design Office. Reporting to the Design Office Manager, the successful candidate will lead project-based designs across a broad spectrum of disciplines, collaborating with external design teams and clients, and delivering the complete technical design for new build projects with support from other team members.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead project-based design, managing semi-production and custom Vessel / boatsprojects from concept to delivery.
• Produce detailed manufacturing 3D models and drawings for in-house and subcontract tooling, composite, and fabrication facilities, working closely with manufacturing teams to maintain a design-for-production approach.
• Deliver original design input in the development of vessels, including tooling, composite, and mechanical systems.
• Incorporate small craft system elements into master 3D models in collaboration with the Engineering Department.
• Create and maintain design-led bills of materials for each project.
• Research new equipment, materials, systems, and design solutions to support development projects.
• Work closely with the shop floor to optimize production-led solutions and capture as-built information.
• Engage specialist skills from other design team members, and mentor and develop junior members of the team.

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience in a marine engineering design role (5-8 years), ideally within the luxury yacht sector, with a BEng / MEng qualification, and preferably some practical operational or manufacturing experience. A portfolio of previous work is advantageous.
• Highly proficient in 3D parametric CAD and Rhinoceros software, with additional 2D AutoCAD competency.
• Proficient in standard business software such as MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• High-level knowledge of small power craft construction and design.
• Focused and productive, with excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with colleagues, external suppliers, shipyards, and clients.
• Experience in carrying out structural calculations for fabricated items and composite engineering, including lift points, covering both initial structural analysis and production engineering.
• Knowledge of the superyacht or Marine industry and operational requirements of yacht tenders.

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Ability to hand sketch and 3D model new tender concepts that reflect the style and detailing of a sister or larger vessel.
• A supporting portfolio of previous work is highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to technically challenging and high-quality projects within a collaborative and design-led environment.