Project Engineer - Design

Job Description

SECURITY CLEARANCE:
You will be subject to BPSS and Export Control checks (including a criminal record check)

LOCATION:

Belfast GRADE: L4 TYPE:
Full time

• Financial Reward:
  Competitive salary, annual profit share, contributory pension, share options
• Work / Life Balance: 36‑hour week, flexible working around core hours and Friday afternoons off, flexible working
• As Airbus in Belfast, we are pioneering the future of sustainable aerospace.

We are looking for an experienced Lead Design Engineer to provide technical guidance and leadership across a broad spectrum of design engineering activities and ongoing design support of the manufacturing build. In this role, you will lead specialist technical packages within our Structures and/or Systems Installation teams, ensuring full compliance with Design Authority requirements and airworthiness standards. You will bridge the gap between initial design, feasibility, and shop‑floor manufacturing to deliver world‑class aerospace components.

• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and advice to an engineering team, developing innovative approaches to complex design problems and fostering continuous development.
• Take full accountability for assigned projects or programmes, ensuring all technical commitments are delivered strictly within agreed schedules and budgets.
• Maintain deep design engineering expertise to advise user departments across the design‑to‑manufacturing lifecycle, ensuring all components satisfy customer specifications and airworthiness regulatory standards.
• Work closely with cross‑functional specialists, customers, and suppliers to effectively coordinate complex engineering packages and conduct full project feasibility studies.

To be considered for shortlisting, candidates must clearly demonstrate the following requirements in their application:

• Degree (BSc/BEng or equivalent) in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering with 3+ years’ design engineering experience, OR an HNC/HND in a relevant discipline with 5+ years’ design engineering experience.
• Comprehensive theoretical and applied knowledge of aircraft structures and/or systems installation, alongside thorough working knowledge of applicable airworthiness regulations (e.g., CAA, EASA, FAA), analysis methods, testing procedures, and engineering processes.
• Proven track record of managing, guiding, and advising an engineering team on specialist technical packages, with the demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and mentor staff through project updates and organisational change.
• Proven experience liaising directly with senior management, external customers, key suppliers, and Certification Authorities, supported by strong organisational and presentation skills for cross‑functional project reporting.

• Candidates should preferably be members of a professional engineering institution.
• This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Closing date: 8th October 2026

Please note that meeting the mandatory criteria listed above guarantees consideration for the role, but does not ensure progression to the interview stage. In the event of a high volume of qualified applications, the selection panel reserves the right to shortlist and progress candidates who additionally meet one or more of the preferential (desirable) criteria.

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