Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
New Yesterday
Location: West Sussex
Type: Permanent The Opportunity
A well-established engineering consultancy based in West Sussex is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex, high-value engineering programmes.
This is a senior, hands-on role for an experienced engineer who enjoys shaping technical strategy, leading design decisions, and ensuring engineering excellence from concept through to delivery. You will act as a technical authority within the business, working closely with clients, suppliers, and internal teams across regulated and high-performance sectors.
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The Role
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will take ownership of technical direction and delivery across multiple programmes, providing leadership, mentorship, and expert engineering judgement.
Key responsibilities include:
Acting as technical lead on major, complex, or innovative engineering projects from concept definition through to delivery
Setting design direction and technical strategy for project teams
Providing expert oversight of CAD models, drawings, tolerance analysis, and technical documentation
Leading formal design reviews, challenging assumptions and ensuring robust engineering solutions
Representing the business in senior-level technical discussions with clients, suppliers, and partners
Owning project delivery outcomes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards
Supporting and mentoring engineers, setting the standard for engineering best practice and technical excellence
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About You
Skills & Experience
Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2:1 or above) or equivalent qualification; relevant industry experience will be considered
8+ years mechanical design experience within sectors such as automotive, aerospace, or defence
Expert knowledge of mechanisms, materials, GD&T, and manufacturing processes
Strong understanding of the full engineering lifecycle, including requirements definition, DFMEA, verification, and testing
Proven ability to guide multidisciplinary teams using engineering first principles
Expert proficiency in 3D CAD modelling (CATIA V5 preferred); experience defining CAD standards or methodologies is advantageous
Experience delivering multiple projects concurrently while maintaining technical oversight
Personal Attributes
Technically authoritative, with the ability to make calm, confident decisions under pressure
Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills
Proactive, solutions-focused, and delivery-driven
Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and setting high engineering standards
Clear and assured communicator at all levels
Strong commitment to deadlines and customer satisfaction
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TPBN1_UKTJ
- Location:
- United Kingdom
- Job Type:
- FullTime
- Category:
- Management;Engineering