Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

STARK; Swindon; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense technology company located in Swindon is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to manage the mechanical architecture for next-generation UAV platforms. The ideal candidate will have significant aerospace design experience and expertise in SolidWorks, driving projects from concept to production while ensuring compliance with military standards. This role offers a unique opportunity to impact the development of cutting-edge defense technologies.

Qualifications

• Mechanical design experience in aerospace, defence, or high‑performance automotive.
• Proven record of taking structures from concept to flight‑ready release.
• Strong knowledge of composites, machining, sheet metal, and joining methods.
• Familiarity with MIL standards and EASA/FAA certification pathways.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for UK current and future UAV platforms.
• Define and enforce best practices for parametric modeling and tolerance stack‑ups.
• Drive airframe material selection and manufacturability decisions.
• Collaborate with teams to ensure structural integrity.

Skills

Mechanical design experience in aerospace

Proven record of structures from concept to flight-ready

Expert in SolidWorks

Strong knowledge of composites

Excellent communication skills

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA V5/V6

Job description

Permanent employee, Full-time

Location: Swindon

About Us

STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop and manufacture high performance unmanned systems that are software‑defined, mass‑scalable, and cost effective. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.

We’re focused on delivering deployable, high‑performance systems—not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe—today.

Your mission

As our Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will own the mechanical architecture of STARK’s next‑generation UAV platforms from concept to production. You will set technical direction, mentor engineers, and work closely with cross‑functional teams to deliver highly reliable, certifiable, and field‑deployable systems under aggressive timelines.

You will both define mechanical design strategy and dive deep into CAD, tolerance stacks, and prototypes. You will act as the company’s authority on mechanical design for airframes and payload integration, influencing platform‑level decisions and ensuring designs are robust, scalable, and certifiable.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for UK current and future UAV platforms
• Define and enforce best practices for parametric modeling, GD&T, and tolerance stack‑ups
• Drive airframe material selection, structural layout, and manufacturability decisions
• Oversee supplier engagement for structural components, composites, and assemblies
• Collaborate with stress, flight test, and systems teams to ensure structural integrity
• Support and occasionally lead design reviews with leadership, partners, and certifying authorities
• Be hands‑on with CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA), prototyping, and shop‑floor troubleshooting

Qualifications

• Mechanical design experience in aerospace, defence, or high‑performance automotive
• Proven record of taking structures from concept to flight‑ready release (wing, fuselage, empennage)
• Expert in SolidWorks (CATIA V5/V6 a plus) and tolerance stack analysis
• Strong knowledge of composites, machining, sheet metal, and joining methods
• Familiarity with MIL standards and EASA/FAA certification pathways (SC-Light UAS, CS-23)
• Excellent communication skills — able to influence at exec and program level
• Eligible for UK Security Clearance

Legal Disclaimer

We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Due to the nature of our work in the defense sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.

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