Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Altera Recruitment Group Ltd; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established engineering firm based in Portsmouth is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to lead projects from concept to production. You will produce detailed technical documents, collaborate with teams, and ensure designs meet safety and compliance standards. Ideal candidates should have strong skills in CAD modelling, particularly with SolidWorks, and come from a background in aerospace, defence, or medical devices. A competitive salary and flexible working hours are offer.

Benefits

Salary of GBP50,000–GBP60,000

Company Bonus

4.5-day working week

Ongoing training and personal development

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical, Aerospace or a relevant field.
• Strong background in design engineering within regulated sectors.
• Confident using CAD tools, particularly SolidWorks.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
• Self-driven and able to manage workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead design projects from concepts to production.
• Produce accurate drawings and technical documents.
• Review design work for quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering teams.
• Support design reviews and process improvements.

Skills

2D and 3D CAD modelling

Understanding of manufacturing processes

Technical report writing

Experience in aerospace or defence

Education

Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Senior Design Engineer

An established engineering and manufacturing business based in Portsmouth is looking for a Senior Design Engineer who can take the lead on turning ideas into practical, safe and reliable products. You’ll be involved in every stage of the design journey, shaping concepts, developing detailed technical work, supporting reviews, and making sure everything meets customer expectations and industry standards.

You’ll also play an important part in guiding junior engineers and working closely with teams across the business to create designs that are realistic to build, cost‑effective, and built to last.

Key Responsibilities of the Senior Design Engineer include:

• Lead design projects from initial ideas through to build, testing and ongoing support.


• Produce clear and accurate drawings, models and technical documents in line with recognised engineering standards.


• Review and approve design work, ensuring everything meets quality, safety and compliance expectations.


• Work closely with manufacturing, analysis and wider engineering teams to create designs that are robust, efficient and ready for production.


• Support process improvements, design reviews and change control activities to keep projects on track and continuously improving.

What You’ll Need:

• Strong skills in 2D and 3D CAD modelling (SolidWorks essential).


• Good understanding of manufacturing processes and material properties, including fatigue and load considerations.


• Ability to create and interpret technical drawings and specifications.


• Confident in producing technical reports and presenting to stakeholders.


• Experience with aerospace, defence, or other safety‑critical industries is preferred; knowledge of airworthiness or electrical systems is a bonus.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree‑qualified (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical, Aerospace or another relevant engineering field.


• Strong background in design engineering within a highly regulated sector such as aerospace, defence or medical devices.


• Confident using CAD tools – SolidWorks experience is a bonus but not essential.


• Excellent problem‑solver with clear communication skills and a natural ability to guide others.


• Self‑driven, thorough and able to manage your own workload effectively.

What’s on Offer:

• A salary of GBP50,000–GBP60,000, depending on experience.


• Company Bonus.


• 4.5‑day working week with flexible hours.


• Ongoing training and personal development support.


• Career progression opportunities within a dynamic engineering environment.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply with your CV today.