Lead Mechanical Engineer

Location: On site
- Loanhead, Edinburgh

Flexible Working Options: 4- or 5-day week

Contract Type: Permanent

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Lead Mechanical Engineer to join our Design team at Mac Taggart Scott. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically capable engineering professional to take on a key leadership role within our Mechanical Engineering team, supporting the delivery of innovative engineering solutions within the naval defence sector.

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and guidance across engineering activities while supporting the development of engineers within your team. Working closely with the Principal Engineer (Mechanical), you will help drive technical excellence, continuous improvement, and engineering best practice across projects and deliverables.

Based on site at our Loanhead facility, this role would suit someone who enjoys leading technical teams, solving complex engineering challenges, and contributing to high-profile defence engineering projects in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Mac Taggart Scott primarily supports the Naval Defence industry, providing complete solutions to customer needs from analysis of initial customer requirements, to design and manufacture, and right through to commissioning and through life support. Established in 1898, we are proud of our history and tradition but believe that sustainable competitive advantage can only be achieved through continuous improvement, investment, and a commitment to business excellence at every level within the company.

As our Lead Mechanical Engineer, you will act as a technical lead within the Mechanical Engineering team, ensuring engineering excellence across projects while mentoring and supporting engineers within your team. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality engineering solutions that meet customer requirements while promoting best practice and continuous improvement across the Design Department.

This is a varied and hands‑on role where you will combine technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, supporting both engineering delivery and team development within a highly regulated defence environment.

• Drive technical excellence within the Mechanical Engineering team, ensuring customer requirements are delivered on time and to schedule
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentoring to engineers within your team
• Promote engineering best practice, innovation, and lessons learned across projects and activities
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the ongoing development of engineering processes
• Create, review, and authorise engineering deliverables for internal and external customers
• Undertake Senior Design Engineer or Project Engineer responsibilities where required
• Conduct Staff Development Reviews (SDRs) for engineers within your team
• Build strong working relationships across departments, stakeholders, and customers
• Support the Principal Engineer (Mechanical) in driving engineering standards and technical excellence

• Experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong technical background
• Proven track record of leading technical projects and engineering teams
• Strong problem‑solving skills with an innovative and proactive approach
• Experience creating, reviewing, and approving engineering documentation
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a collaborative team environment
• Flexible approach to engineering activities and changing project requirements
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications

• Subsea engineering experience
• Security clearance
• Awareness of military environmental requirements including vibration, shock, and equipment standards
• MEng in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Chartered Engineer status

• BSc or BEng in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent), or relevant Apprenticeship with HNC
• Affiliation with a relevant professional body

• This role will require travel, including periods away from home…