Senior Mechanical Engineer

James Fisher and Sons plc; Westhill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Early finish on Fridays

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher Defence (JFD) is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Westhill, Aberdeenshire, to provide engineering design solutions and through-life support for the JFD product range, acting as technical lead for the engineering team. You will lead a small team, manage work across new designs and field upgrades, and liaise with sales, supply chain and production to deliver on time and on budget.

Candidates should have proven mechanical design experience, knowledge of gas and fluid systems,

Qualifications

• Proven mechanical design experience with calculations and manufacturing techniques.
• Knowledge of gas and fluid systems and pressure vessel design.
• Familiarity with Lloyds, DNV, ABS, DEFSTAN and MIL-STD.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools and SolidWorks.
• Experience using PLM systems for documentation and control.
• Mechanical engineering degree or equivalent industry experience.
• Diving qualifications would be advantageous.
• Security checks required for the role.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering design input to new systems and products and support existing range.
• Liaise with sales, supply chain and production to ensure best technical solution.
• Create part numbers, BOMs, and source components as needed.
• Prepare engineering documentation, specs, proposals, and test procedures.
• Ensure solutions are delivered on time and on budget, compliant with standards.
• Act as discipline technical approver of drawings and documentation.
• Promote engagement to build a diverse high-performing team.
• Line manage a small team on performance and development.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership

Problem solving

Team mentoring

Liaison with internal teams

Regulatory awareness

Stress analysis

Quality mindset

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

ANSYS Workbench

MathCAD

Finglow

SolidWorks

PLM systems

Job description

Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Full-time, Permanent

Please note that this role requires security checks.

The Role

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide engineering design solutions and through life engineering support to the JFD product range and working as a technical lead for the engineering team. Workload can vary, from new product design to meet client or internal specifications, through to supporting an existing client’s request to upgrade or change equipment in the field.

Where applicable, managing, coordinating and mentoring a small team by distributing work and mentoring more junior staff to deliver business deliverables by setting objectives, creating development plans and performing appraisals.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide engineering design input to new systems and products and provide support to the existing product range by assessing technical queries.
• Liaise with internal JFD departments such as sales, supply chain and production to ensure the best technical solution is provided in all instances.
• Creation of part numbers and bill of materials and sourcing suitable components and materials when required.
• Creation of engineering documentation such as specifications, proposals, assembly instructions, test procedures, certification and reports and checking detailed manufacturing drawings and documentation.
• Ensuring engineering solutions are provided on time and on budget and adhere to engineering and company standards and processes (compliance to internal and external standards and regulations).
• Accountability and responsibility as the discipline technical approver of drawings and documentation generated within the JFD engineering team.
• Where applicable, responsible for promoting engagement to achieve a resilient diverse high performing team.
• Where applicable, the line management of a small team on performance, development, allocation/delegation of work and compliance to internal and external standard & regulations and develop and mentor team through the use of a competence framework and training, development plans and performance appraisals.

What We're Looking For

• Proven mechanical design experience, including design calculations and manufacturing techniques.
• Strong knowledge of gas and fluid systems, pressure vessel design (PD5500, ASME VIII, EN 13445), and engineering design standards.
• Familiarity with industry codes and regulations such as Lloyds, DNV, ABS, DEFSTAN and MIL-STD.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools (e.g. ANSYS Workbench, MathCAD, Finglow) and SolidWorks.
• Experience using Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems for engineering documentation and package control.
• Demonstrated experience in a Mechanical or Product Engineering role.
• Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent industry experience.
• Diving qualifications would be advantageous.

Why Join Us

• Early finish on Fridays
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations

About Us

James Fisher is a global engineering services company operating across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport. With a strong heritage in maritime operations, we now deliver innovative solutions in challenging environments. Our One James Fisher strategy is focused on building a unified, sustainable business within the Blue Economy, driving progress through technology, expertise, and collaboration.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

James Fisher Defence (JFD), part of the James Fisher Group, is a global leader in underwater capability, delivering cutting-edge diving, submarine rescue, and hyperbaric solutions to both commercial and defence markets. Operating worldwide, JFD is the foremost provider of submarine rescue services and a trusted name in submarine escape training. We’re also at the forefront of hyperbaric rescue innovation and a leading supplier of advanced diving equipment and saturation systems across the industry. Explore more about JFD

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.