Our client is an established, high-technology electronics and engineering business headquartered in Oxfordshire, operating across commercial, government, and defence markets. The organisation designs, manufactures, and delivers advanced RF, fibre optic, and sensing systems for applications including satellite ground stations, broadcast infrastructure, secure communications, and defence platforms.
With a workforce of approximately 80 and a dedicated engineering team of 30, the business has achieved consistent and strong financial growth in recent years. As part of a larger, well-capitalised parent group, the organisation benefits from increased investment and expanded market access whilst retaining operational autonomy, agility, and an entrepreneurial culture. The company holds Gold Investors in People accreditation and is certified to ISO 9001.
Role Overview
Mechanical engineering has become increasingly central to the organisation's ability to win and deliver its most complex, high-value programmes. As the business transitions from simpler product builds into sophisticated, multi-discipline subsystem solutions for defence, government, and commercial customers, the mechanical engineering function must operate at a correspondingly higher level. This role has been created to establish clear technical authority within the mechanical engineering team as the business continues to grow.
The Principal Mechanical Engineer will serve as the senior technical reference point for mechanical design across the organisation, working closely with Systems Architects, Design Team Leads, and Programme Managers to ensure that products are designed correctly, robustly, and in full compliance with the demanding requirements of the markets the business serves. The role carries responsibility for design philosophy, toolchain standards, and engineering methodology, and requires the ability to lead from the front on the organisation's most technically challenging programmes.
This is a hands‑on principal engineering role focused on technical leadership and continuous improvement of the mechanical function, rather than a pure management position, though mentoring and developing the wider team is integral to the work.
Key Responsibilities
* Operate as technical authority, owning design philosophy, toolchain standards, and engineering methodology across the mechanical function
* Drive new product development from concept through to manufacture on the organisation's most complex and high-value programmes
* Conduct and direct advanced modelling, simulation, and analysis activities — including SolidWorks and FlowSim — to ensure products meet the rigorous demands of commercial, government, and defence end users
* Ensure mechanical designs comply with applicable defence and environmental standards including DEFSTAN and MIL-STD requirements
* Partner with Systems Architects and Design Team Leads to architect technically coherent solutions across multi-disciplinary programmes
* Engage at senior programme and project level to define scope, manage engineering risk, and ensure on‑time, on‑quality delivery
* Act as technical mentor and coach to the broader mechanical engineering team, actively building the capability and confidence of less experienced engineers
* Identify and champion continuous improvement initiatives that measurably advance the engineering department's functional maturity
* Represent mechanical engineering in customer‑facing and stakeholder contexts, communicating technical decisions with clarity and authority
* Hold the line on engineering quality and design standards, including when programme schedule pressure demands otherwise
Initial Project Scope
During the first 6–12 months, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to work including:
* Establishing and documenting clear mechanical engineering standards, toolchain governance, and design methodology across the team
* Review and improvement of existing design processes, ensuring rigour is embedded into day‑to‑day practice
* Technical leadership on active NPI and product development programmes, including advanced defence hardware and RF/fibre subsystem enclosures
* Structured mentoring and development of the graduate and senior engineer within the mechanical team
* Engagement with Systems Architects and Programme Managers to define mechanical engineering scope on upcoming complex programmes
* Definition and implementation of key engineering quality metrics and evidence-based improvement processes
Essential Skills and Experience
* Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated through sustained high‑level professional achievement
* Proven experience operating at a senior or principal engineer level within a product development environment
* Exceptional expertise in 3D CAD‑based product design for manufacture, with a portfolio that evidences complexity, innovation, and commercial rigour
* Deep knowledge of engineering quality management systems, design for regulatory compliance, and standards relevant to defence, telecommunications, or power systems environments
* A demonstrable track record of technical leadership — setting direction, resolving ambiguity, and being the person others turn to for the answer
* Experience translating high‑level requirements into robust engineering solutions across the full development lifecycle
Desirable Skills and Experience
* Hands‑on design experience across telecommunications RF/fibre infrastructure, custom defence hardware, or power and energy systems
* Experience with PDM, PLM, and MRP tooling in a structured engineering environment
* Formal or informal people leadership experience, including mentoring, performance development, or team‑building
* Familiarity with both waterfall and agile delivery frameworks, and the judgement to apply the right approach in context
* Candidates who hold Chartered Engineer status, or are actively working towards Chartered Engineer registration, are particularly encouraged to apply
Person Specification
Technical competence is essential; however, the organisation places equal emphasis on professional mindset. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional hands‑on design capability, a decisive and authoritative approach, and the ability to take genuine ownership of mechanical engineering standards and output. They will be approachable, patient, and naturally inclined to share knowledge — supporting and developing less experienced engineers whilst building broader team capability. Candidates from mechanical, electromechanical, or adjacent engineering disciplines who bring deep practical experience in demanding product environments and a collaborative, continuous‑improvement mindset are particularly welcome.
Remuneration and Benefits
* Highly competitive base salary
* Company bonus scheme
* Share Incentive Plan
* Group Life Insurance at 4x basic annual salary
* Employee Assistance Programme
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must hold a minimum of five years of continuous residency in the United Kingdom and are ideally required to be a UK Sole National. This is a condition of employment due to the nature of the work undertaken by the organisation.
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