Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Kingdom People; England; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Design Manager (Mechanical) in Portsmouth. This role involves leading complex design projects within a unique maritime environment and requires a strong mechanical background with over 10 years in project delivery. The successful candidate will manage the design process and collaborate with various teams to ensure high-quality outcomes for projects supporting the Royal Navy. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Enhanced pension scheme

Life assurance and group income protection

Flexible parental benefits

Professional development support

Employee wellbeing and rewards programme

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in mechanical design or engineering project delivery.
• Proven experience managing design across all RIBA stages.
• Ideally Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership.

Responsibilities

• Lead design projects from inception through RIBA stages to delivery.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, project managers, and stakeholders.
• Ensure designs meet performance, safety, and environmental objectives.

Skills

Mechanical design management

Project delivery

Communication skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Are you an experienced Mechanical Engineer ready to lead complex design projects in one of the UK's most unique maritime environments?

We're looking for a Senior Design Manager (Mechanical) to join a leading joint venture delivering world‑class asset management and infrastructure services within Portsmouth Naval Base. This is a fantastic opportunity for an engineer with a strong mechanical background and a passion for large‑scale, technically challenging projects that directly support the Royal Navy.

As Senior Design Manager (Mechanical), you'll report to the Principal Mechanical Design Manager, taking ownership of developing the client's strategic requirements into detailed, practical design solutions. You'll manage the entire design process from inception through RIBA stages to delivery, ensuring all projects meet performance, safety, and environmental objectives.

Working collaboratively with multi‑discipline engineering teams, project managers and stakeholders, you'll ensure designs are not only compliant with legislation but are efficient, sustainable, and achievable in practice. This is a hands‑on role where your expertise will help drive the quality and success of major mechanical engineering projects within the base.

What you need

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or a related discipline)
• 10+ years' experience in mechanical design or engineering project delivery
• Ideally Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership
• Proven experience managing design across all RIBA stages
• Exposure to large‑scale mechanical systems – experience in saltwater systems, dock infrastructure, large pumps or penstock refurbishment is particularly valuable
• Excellent communication, leadership, and mentoring skills

Details

• Location: Portsmouth
• Salary: Up to £55,000 per annum (DOE)
• Hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Life assurance and group income protection
• Flexible parental benefits
• Professional development support
• Employee wellbeing and rewards programme