Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

We are recruiting for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer on behalf of our client, a leading helicopter manufacturer with extensive experience in helicopter sales, bespoke completions, maintenance and spares support.

Their in-house engineering capabilities include design, customisation, installation, flight testing and certification, as well as technical support, maintenance, training and the supply of spares for civil and military applications.

Our client is looking for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their mechanical design engineering team at their Oxford site.

You will lead the development of innovative helicopter customisations from early concept through to manufacture, taking ownership of the technical quality of your designs. You will guide and mentor a small team of engineers while ensuring every solution meets customer, regulatory and certification requirements.

The overall purpose of the role is to translate proposed mechanical systems concepts into detailed designs that meet certification and customer requirements. You will manage the integration of systems into helicopter products and provide leadership and direction for engineering work packages.

• Support the development of new product designs and their structure in the PLM system.

• Manage product maturity and development in the PLM system.

• Lead the design effort for work packages or modules, developing and managing the tasks and deliverables of a team of design engineers.

• Check module designs, including 2D drawings, 3D models and engineering bills of materials (EBoMs), against internal standards and take responsibility for technical accuracy before release.

• Design and model a variety of systems and components to meet customer, regulatory and OEM requirements.

• Monitor, manage and meet cost and weight targets.

• Communicate effectively and professionally with customers and suppliers, managing data transfers as required for product development or other needs.

• Organise and participate in design reviews throughout each phase of the new product introduction process, ensuring all necessary follow-up actions are completed.

• Ensure the selection and application of materials and processes are appropriate to each design element and comply with relevant standards and guidance.

• Ensure the successful integration of assigned modules within the overall product.

• Manage design changes to support manufacturing, production, customers, quality and certification.

• Generate and revise specifications.

• Coach, mentor and develop less experienced design engineers, including apprentices and graduates.

• Work towards achieving design signatory or Compliance Verification Engineer status.

• Assist with the recruitment of team members when required.

Essential

• Ability to plan and schedule design activities across multiple design work packages.

• Understanding of the effective application of tolerances and a working knowledge of manufacturing processes.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing methods, including sheet metal fabrication, plastics vacuum forming, CNC machining and composite lay‑up.

• Ability to read mechanical design drawings and specifications.

• Proven experience supervising a team of mechanical design engineers.

Essential

• A degree in mechanical, aerospace or structural engineering. Alternatively, an HNC/HND, equivalent qualification or relevant engineering apprenticeship, supported by extensive experience in mechanical systems design, concept development and detailed engineering solutions.

• High proficiency and experience in CATIA V5, Autodesk AutoCAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, including Enovia Smar Team and ARAS.

• Understanding of national and…