Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Description :
Your impact

At Leonardo UK, we are proud to be at the forefront of Electronic Warfare innovation-developing world‑class defensive systems that protect people and platforms across air, land, and sea. Within this cutting‑edge environment, our Mechanical Design team plays a crucial role in bringing advanced technologies to life. As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for transforming conceptual designs‑based on defined requirements‑into fully engineered solutions, guiding them through the Mechanical Engineering Product Hardware Development Process.

This role involves close collaboration with subject matter experts in pressure, thermal, stress, and environmental analysis to ensure full compliance with technical and regulatory standards. Our designs support a range of products including GCAP, Brite Cloud, Praetorian EFA and other Electronic Warfare systems.

From early concept through design reviews, your input will be critical to ensuring design integrity and project success.

Your typical responsibilities as a Principal Mechanical Engineer will include :

• Performing mechanical design and development using 3D CAD software with a "hands on" approach.
• Managing and delivering innovative, optimised engineering solutions against requirements, within budget and timescales.
• Providing leadership and technical direction on business programmes to ensure delivery of mechanical engineering solutions.
• Formulating prototype designs and producing physical representations.
• Providing key support to critical technical problem investigations and delivering effective solutions.
• Chairing, supporting and facilitating reviews and sign off release of mechanical designs in accordance with business and industry standards.
• Contributing towards continual improvement in product manufacturability through effective relationship building and design guidance / liaison with other engineering functions.
• Preliminary (sizing) structural analyses (hand calculations and Creo Simulate).
• Supporting visits and meetings at UK sites and suppliers when required.

• Technical or science degree, or equivalent, with demonstrable aerospace related experience in the packaging of electronics.
• Experience in problem solving and concurrent engineering practices - structured, logical approach to investigate issues and solve problems in an effective cross-functional manner.
• Experience in mechanical engineering detailed design - first‑hand experience of engineering design, analysis, tolerance studies (including GD&T) and generation of technical documentation (including an MBD approach) and data packs to relevant standards including BS8888.
• Experience and understanding of material selection, machining and manufacturing techniques and employment of them to achieve optimal DFx approaches.
• Ability to lead teams and engage with the customer - demonstrating the ability of fulfilling customer and regulatory requirements (internal and external).
• High level of competence in the use of CAD tools (preferably Creo).
• Understanding of ERP, PLM and PDM systems (Teamcenter Unified and SAP experience would be beneficial).
• Business awareness - understanding of fundamental business principles, drivers and key customers with the ability to make effective trade-offs - cost, quality and schedule.
• Awareness of Mechanical Engineering industry trends - knowledge of new and advancing tools, techniques and technologies.
• Chartered Engineer registration with a recognised organisation IMechE / RAeS / IED / IET or the equivalent thereof in experience.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government's Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit :

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