Principal Mechanical Engineer - Platform Systems

£67.47 per hour Umbrella - inside IR35

12 month contract

2 days every 2 weeks onsite

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the design and development of submarine hydraulic and actuation systems. This includes system-level design, technical leadership and the opportunity to steer design architecture across a major submarine programme.

• Provide technical leadership, owning design solutions and providing guidance to others.
• Lead the technical assurance of the hydraulic systems, sub-systems and equipment for the next generation Royal Navy submarines.
• Verify calculations are complete, checked by the appropriate SQEP and validate calculation meet technical intent.
• Supporting the team in tackling technical challenges, providing support and advice to ensure adequate technical solutions.
• Co-ordinate programmatic initiatives, leading additional work packages which fall outside normal system scope.
• Drive engineering governance through peer reviews and design reviews, identifying and addressing shortfalls in documentation or process.

The role holder is responsible for taking reasonable care of their own health and safety ensuring high standards for safety, health and environment (SHE) in our organisation are maintained. This includes co-operating and following all reasonable instruction, information and training reporting work-related hazards or incidents and using all equipment for the purpose intended.

• Strong experience in the design of hydraulic systems – ideally in complex, safety-critical environments (e.g. maritime, aerospace, defence, nuclear, oil & gas and sub-sea)
• Familiarity with systems and equipment involving hydraulic power units (HPUs), variable frequency dives (VFDs), control cabinets, pumps, electric motors, hydraulic actuators, hydro-static transmissions and fluid mechanics.
• Proven capability in system lifecycle delivery – from concept through to commissioning
• Demonstrated leadership through technical direction, mentoring, or project ownership
• Chartered engineer or working towards professional accreditation

• Experience in submarine or ship design (not essential)
• Familiarity with design standards such as ASME, BS EN, Def-Stan or MOD-specific requirements
• Knowledge of platform-level constraints such as noise, shock, or survivability
• Previous engagement with suppliers or stakeholders on hydraulic systems (inclusion of hydraulic control logic is desirable, e.g. Variable Frequency Drive solutions)