Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Owen Daniels; Nechells; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Owen Daniels in the United Kingdom seeks a Senior Design Engineer to translate technical specs into world-class products. You will design flow control products for Defence, perform rigorous analyses, and ensure compliance with industry standards, while collaborating across engineering, operations, and quality teams.

You will produce precise documentation, support end-to-end processes, and guide prototypes through validation, with leadership responsibilities and a focus on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required in a relevant discipline.
• 7+ years in mechanical design with valve/hydraulic systems preferred.
• Proven experience with 3D CAD and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop flow control products (valves, actuators, manifolds) for Defence applications.
• Perform detailed analyses (calculations, test plans, qualification plans) for performance and safety.
• Review external validation data (FEA, CFD, tests) and ensure compliance with standards.
• Contribute to end-to-end Engineering process from bid to manufacture and test.
• Oversee material selection and testing for parameter-based requirements.
• Create prototypes for testing and environmental validation.
• Generate calculations, plans, and technical instructions (GA and component drawings).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for Defence system integration.
• Lead or deputise for Design Engineering Lead when needed.

Skills

7+ years exp

Customer interaction

DfM

GD&T

APQP / FMEAs / 8D / 5Ys

Team leadership

Education

Engineering Degree (Mechanical/Aerospace/Naval)

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

The Senior Design Engineer role is responsible for supporting business strategy, delivering profitable, organic growth and continuous improvement, by interacting with customers, interpreting technical specifications, and converting these into a world class product or service. The Senior Design Engineer is responsible for producing highly accurate, technical documentation while ensuring

The Senior Design Engineer role is part of the Product Engineering Team and involves working collaboratively with Project Management, Operations/Production, Quality and Supply Chain departments.

Key Responsibilities

Duties will include but no be limited to:

• Design and develop flow control products (valves, actuators, manifolds etc) for Defence applications, considering factors like pressure, temperature, environmental conditions, and fluid compatibility etc.
• Conduct detailed engineering analyses (calculations, test plans, qualification plans, etc) for performance, reliability, and safety in extreme conditions.
• Review external analysis and validation data (FEA, CFD, physical test results, etc).
• Ensure compliance with industry, military, and government standards for technical, quality and safety requirements, as well as internal processes and procedures.
• Involvement with the end-to-end Engineering process (from bid winning/business development through to product manufacture, assembly, and test).
• Material selection of products for specific parameters.
• Oversee testing for compliance in line with specified requirements.
• Create prototypes for testing, including functional and environmental validation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for seamless integration into Defence systems.
• Analyse and troubleshoot valve failures, implementing corrective actions and design improvements.
• Generate engineering documentation, such as calculations, plans, technical instructions.
• Create both concept and production GA and component drawings accordance with BS8888, applying sound engineering knowledge, DfM, appropriate tolerances and GD&T where necessary.
• Deputise for the Design Engineering Lead where appropriate.

Skills & Experience

• Engineering Degree in a relevant discipline (Mechanical, Aerospace, Naval/Marine etc).
• 7+ years’ experience in a relevant field, preferably with valve/hydraulic systems knowledge.
• Mechanical design using 3D software (preferably SolidWorks).
• Drawings (GA drawings, installation/maintenance drawings, component drawings).
• Experience in fluid control systems and products is desirable (valves, manifolds, actuators, hydraulics etc)
• Experience in creating calculations and design/product validation.
• Shop floor (assembly and test)/field services support.
• Customer interaction (specification interpretation, design reviews, etc)
• Experience with engineering/quality tools such as APQP, FMEAs, 8Ds, 5Ys, etc
• Membership with an Engineering Institution is preferable (IMechE, IET, IMarEST, etc)
• Working experience of direct or indirect management of a team of technical staff.
• Ability to conduct 1-2-1 Performance Reviews.

Personal Characteristics

• Can-Do, Will-Do attitude with the ability to problem solve and determination to continually improve the business.
• Excellent attention to detail with a high accuracy level.
• Excellent interpersonal (written and oral) skills.
• Able to keep the customers’ interests front of mind, creating strong and in-depth relationships.
• Acts with integrity – deliver on promises, inspires trust, builds credibility, and always follows responsible business practices, always prepared to do the right thing.
• Collaborative and a good team worker.
• Determined to overcome unexpected obstacles to get to the right solution.
• Strong drive for results, confident, motivated, and tenacious – create momentum and pace to drive results.
• Working well under pressure and engaging at all levels of the organisation both internally and externally.