Principal Design Engineer

Job Title: Principal Design Engineer

Salary: £45,000 - 55,000 PA (dependent on experience)

Location: Bedford

Duration: Permanent

Our client is a leading aerospace R&D consultancy based in Bedford, the have an excellent opportunity for a Principal Design Engineer (Grade 3) to join their Aerodynamics business unit.

We are looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Principal Design Engineer to lead the development of mechanical design solutions in a multi-disciplinary environment.

This involves taking the lead in load calculation and stress analysis and be the Technical Lead for designated projects.

Reporting to the Design Engineer Team Lead the successful candidate must have strong stress calculation abilities, as well as a commanding understanding of static loading application as well as a solid background in applied stress analysis both static and dynamic.

We are looking for someone who has a natural creativity and curiosity for mechanical design.

This is a varied and dynamic role; no two days are the same. The successful candidate will get the opportunity to:

• Operate primarily as a senior level Design engineer in the mechanical design of wind tunnel test subjects in accordance with customer specification.
• Carry out design activities with minimal direction from the Design Team Leader, working within budget and to project schedule.
• Be a technical authority on stress analysis and load calculation.
• Deliver Written reporting on the above
• Facilitate the effective communication with key stakeholders and the management of expectations across the business.
• Be the technical lead for projects as required by the Design Team Lead or Head of D&M
• Maintain a close working relationship with the Project Manager and all other key stakeholders within the project.
• Contribute to helping to develop, improve and maintain the skills and capabilities of the design team such that it can be considered world class by its customer basis.

What we would like to see:

• A 2.1 or above in a relevant Mechanical Engineering discipline
• Relevant prior experience in working as the Technical Lead in a project-based environment.
• Knowledge of design for manufacture
• Demonstrable problem-solving ability in a logical, competent, and timely manner
• Have a desire to succeed, see those around them success and be driven by continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of relevant software packages preferably Catia, Isight, Matlab, Abacus, other FEA
• Have some commercial awareness and client relationship experience.
• Ideally experience of 6sigma and Lean manufacturing processes