Senior Design Engineer — Lead Mechanical Innovation

Cessna Aircraft Company; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. in Ipswich is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to lead mechanical design across multiple projects, delivering robust, manufacturable solutions from concept to production.

You will mentor engineers, perform advanced CAE/FEA analyses (NX, ANSYS), drive DFMEA/PFMEA, and coordinate with Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to meet cost and schedule goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in an Engineering discipline, ideally Mechanical Engineering.
• At least five years’ experience in mechanical design and product development within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience designing with a range of materials, including steels, plastics, alloys and fabricated assemblies.
• Strong understanding of engineering development processes including prototyping, testing, DFM, DFA and product validation.
• Advanced knowledge and practical application of DFMEA and PFMEA methodologies.
• Experience leading design reviews and collaborating across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain.
• Advanced proficiency in CAD software (NX preferred), including complex assemblies, system integration and engineering documentation.
• Proficiency in FEA tools, ideally ANSYS, with ability to perform and interpret analyses.
• Experience using PLM and ERP systems to manage engineering data, product structures and engineering change processes desirable.
• Hands-on approach, with ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering activities from concept to production.
• Self-motivated and capable of leading complex engineering projects with minimal supervision.
• Strong technical leadership skills to mentor and support less experienced engineers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with a structured and methodical approach.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence decisions across the organisation.
• High attention to detail and commitment to delivering robust, reliable and manufacturable engineering solutions.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with a desire to drive innovation and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex mechanical systems and products, ensuring technical, performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost requirements are achieved throughout the product lifecycle;
• Take ownership of significant engineering projects and workstreams, providing technical direction and ensuring design activities are delivered to quality, cost, and timing objectives.
• Create, review, approve and maintain engineering documentation, including drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), assembly instructions and technical publications, ensuring compliance with Engineering Change processes and engineering standards.
• Establish and promote best practice engineering methods, standards and design principles, driving consistency and continual improvement across the Engineering team.
• Ensure designs are robustly integrated within wider production architectures, considering system interactions, serviceability, manufacturing requirements, reliability and customer needs.
• Lead advanced CAE/FEA analyses and engineering calculations to validate design concepts, optimize performance and reduce technical risk.
• Drive Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Reliability (DFR) and cost-reduction initiatives through close collaboration with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain and Production teams.
• Identify technical risks, conduct root cause investigations and develop effective engineering solutions to resolve complex product or manufacturing issues.
• Lead design reviews and provide technical guidance, challenge and approval of engineering solutions developed by other engineers.
• Interpret, apply and advise on relevant legislation, standards, directives and regulatory requirements, ensuring product compliance across applicable markets.
• Plan, define and lead validation and verification activities, including test strategy development, test execution reviews and technical sign-off of results.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing coaching, technical support and knowledge sharing to strengthen overall engineering capability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and international teams to develop new technologies, products and engineering approaches aligned with business strategy.
• Support product roadmap and technology planning activities by identifying opportunities for innovation, product improvement and competitive advantage.

Skills

Design leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

DFMEA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

NX CAD

ANSYS

PLM

ERP systems

Job description

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. in Ipswich is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to lead mechanical design across multiple projects, delivering robust, manufacturable solutions from concept to production.

You will mentor engineers, perform advanced CAE/FEA analyses (NX, ANSYS), drive DFMEA/PFMEA, and coordinate with Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to meet cost and schedule goals.