Design Engineer – Mechanical Engineering Location: Crawley, West Sussex (On-site, no hybrid working) Salary: £53,000 – £58,000 per annum Job Type: Full-Time, PermanentWe are proud to be recruiting on behalf of our client, a highly respected manufacturer of special purpose machinery, for the appointment of an experienced Design Engineer to join their well-established team based in Crawley, West Sussex.This is an exciting opportunity for a talented mechanical design professional to contribute to innovative engineering projects within a technically driven and globally operating organisation. This role is strictly on-site and offers long-term stability and clear progression potential for the right individual.About the Role:Reporting to the Engineering Director, you will be responsible for the full cycle of mechanical design – from concept through to integration – using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD Mechanical. Your work will directly contribute to the development and delivery of custom-engineered solutions for clients across the globe.This role requires hands-on engagement with the production and testing teams, a practical mindset, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent design tasks under tight timescales.Key Responsibilities:Mechanical design of special purpose machinery using 2D and 3D CAD softwareProduce and maintain technical drawings, BOMs, and documentationCollaborate with assembly and test technicians to ensure design feasibilityOffer practical, cost-effective solutions to design changes or modificationsLiaise directly with clients, suppliers, and internal teams to clarify requirements and support installationConduct occasional travel, both UK and overseas, for client site visitsProvide technical support to internal departments and external customersMaintain design records and manage issue levels within the MRP systemEssential Requirements:BEng or MEng in Mechanical Engineering (Product Design degrees not suitable)Minimum 8 years of industrial mechanical design experienceProficiency in 3D and 2D design software (preferably Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD Mechanical)Hands-on experience designing machinery such as conveyors, packaging, or other mechanical systemsAbility to manage simultaneous projects with strict deadlinesFluent English (spoken and written)Unrestricted worldwide travel availabilityFull UK manual or automatic driving licenceDesirable Attributes:Experience using Autodesk VaultExposure to sheet metal and special-purpose machinery designPractical interest in mechanical hobbiesForeign language skillsPackage & Benefits:£53,000 – £58,000 per annumStandard hours: Monday to Friday, 08:45 – 17:1533 days holiday (including bank holidays), increasing with service5% pension from start, increasing to 8% after qualifying periodLife assurance after 6 monthsPrivate healthcare after 2–3 yearsAll out-of-pocket travel expenses reimbursed