Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Prestwick Aerosystems; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance

Pension plan

Share incentive plans

Refer a friend bonus

Wellbeing & support services

Job summary

Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd in Oxford seeks a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead helicopter customization concepts through to manufacture. You will own technical quality, mentor engineers, and ensure designs meet customer, regulatory, and certification requirements.

You will guide system integration across modules while aligning with PLM processes. The role requires SC clearance eligibility and a proactive, collaborative approach within a multi-disciplinary team at Oxford Airport.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural Engineering.
• Experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and specifications.
• Proven ability to lead a small team and manage design work packages.

Responsibilities

• Lead design efforts for helicopter module packages and ensure technical accuracy.
• Oversee design reviews and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory and certification requirements.
• Coordinate integration of mechanical systems into Airbus Helicopters products.
• Mentor and develop junior design engineers and apprentices.
• Prepare and revise specifications; manage design changes for manufacturing and certification.

Skills

Design planning

Tolerance analysis

Reading drawings

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural Engineering

HNC/HND in Mechanical/Aerospace/Structural Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

Autodesk AutoCAD

PLM systems (Enovia SmarTeam, ARAS)

Job description

Job Description

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Oxford Permanent About AHUK... Airbus Helicopters is the world’s largest helicopter manufacturer and the company’s site at Oxford Airport is Britain’s civil helicopter hub. AHUK offers considerable experience in helicopter sales, bespoke completions, maintenance and spares support. Its in‑house engineering capabilities include design, customisation, installation, flight‑testing and certification, as well as technical support, maintenance, training and the supply of spares for civil and military applications. AHUK is the MoD’s chosen provider of helicopters and maintenance for its No.1 Helicopter Flying school (referred to as MFTS) located in RAF Shawbury (Shropshire) and RAF Valley (Anglesey).

Reward: Why Join Airbus?

• We offer a competitive base salary and a robust suite of benefits designed to support your health, wealth, and lifestyle.
• Holiday Allowance: We value loyalty and work‑life balance; your annual leave entitlement grows with you, rewarding your commitment with an extra day of leave for each year of service (up to an additional4days).
• Health: Private Medical Insurance (Bupa). You also have the flexibility to add family members to your policy at an additional cost. Other options include Health‑care Cash Schemes and Den‑Plan.
• Future Wealth: up to8% Company Pension contribution, when you contribute6%. Plus Yearly Share Incentive Plans, and Discretionary Group Bonuses.
• Everyday Savings: Access to exclusive shopping discounts, including a cashback card to help your money go further.
• Lifestyle: Bikes to Work scheme (up to£3,000), Mydrive car purchase scheme, and Technology purchase schemes.
• Added Protection: Benefit from Personal Accident Insurance, Health‑care Cash Schemes, and professional Financial/Legal advice.
• Refer a friend Scheme : We offer a generous Referral Bonus for any successfully placed candidates you recommend to the business.

The Opportunity

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Mechanical Design Engineer team as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer at our Oxford site. As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will lead the development of innovative Helicopter Customisations from early concept through to manufacture, owning the technical quality of your designs. You will guide and mentor a small team of engineers while ensuring every solution meets our customer, regulatory and Certification requirements. The overall purpose of the job is to deliver designs for mechanical systems translating proposed concepts into detailed design to meet compliance with certification requirements and to meet Customer requirements. As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will manage the integration of systems into Airbus Helicopters products and provide leadership and direction for engineering work packages.

Main Responsibilities

• To aid in the development of new product designs and their structure in the PLM system.
• To manage the product maturity and development in the PLM system.
• To lead the design effort for packages of work or modules and to develop and manage the tasks and deliverables of a team of design engineers.
• To design check the modules (2D, 3D, EBoMs) against internal standards and be responsible for the technical accuracy of designs prior to processing for release.
• Responsible for the design and detail modelling of a variety of systems and components in order to meet the customer, regulatory and OEM requirements.
• To monitor, manage and meet the cost and weight targets.
• Expected to communicate effectively and professionally with customers and suppliers as well as to manage data transfer as required for product development or other needs.
• Organise and participate in Design Reviews throughout each phase of the New Product Introduction process.
• Ensure that all necessary follow up actions are taken.
• To ensure the selection and application of materials and processes are appropriate to each design element and are in line with standards, materials and processes guides.
• Ensure the successful integration of each of their module(s) within the product as a whole.
• Manage design changes as required to support manufacturing/production, customers, quality, and certification.
• Generate and/or revise specifications.
• Coach, mentor and develop less experienced design engineers (apprentices, graduates etc.).
• To work towards achieving design signatory status/Compliance Verification Engineer status..
• Assisting in recruitment of team members when required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Essential Ability to plan and schedule design activities across multiple design work packages
• Understanding of the effective application of tolerances and a working knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• A working knowledge of methods of manufacture including sheet metal fabrication, plastics vacuum forming, CNC machining and composite lay up.
• Ability to read mechanical design drawings and specifications.
• Proven experience supervising a team of Mechanical Design engineers.

Education, Qualifications or Training Essential

• Qualified to a minimum of degree in a Mechanical / Aerospace / Structural Engineering field.
• Alternatively a HNC/HND or an equivalent qualification in Mechanical / Aerospace / Structural Engineering apprenticeship, with extensive experience in mechanical systems design, developing concept and detailing engineering solutions; Highly Proficient with experience in CATIA V5, Autodesk AutoCAD and Product Life Management (PLM) Systems (Enovia SmarTeam, ARAS)
• Understanding of national and international regulatory standards and codes of practice including CAA Part 21, CS27/CS29 and Defence Standard 00-970.

Culture and Wellbeing

• Inclusive Space: We provide a dedicated Multi‑Faith Prayer Room, ensuring a quiet, private space prayer during the day.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Your mental health matters. Gain access to 24/7 confidential support, counseling, and resources for both your professional and personal life.
• The Canteen Hub: A dedicated space to take a break and recharge, featuring on‑site vending machines for quick snacks and refreshments.
• Fuel Your Day: Enjoy free tea and coffee throughout the day, because sometimes the best ideas happen over a fresh brew.

Additional requirements

• This position is subject to National Security Vetting.
• Candidates must be able to obtain SC clearance, which generally requires having lived in the UK for the last five years.
• All successful applicants will also undergo a mandatory BPSS check.
• Applicants must meet any/all requirements of Export Compliance Regulations.
• All candidates must possess the current, legal right to work in the United Kingdom.
• Airbus will not be able to offer sponsorship for any employment Visa's.

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].

Company: Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd

Employment Type: Permanent

Experience Level: Professional

Job Family: System Installation

Employer: Airbus Helicopters UK Ltd