Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

About the role

The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer will lead a design team in Huddersfield, overseeing the transition from simulation to detailed design and driving continuous improvement across mechanical projects. This senior position requires technical leadership, project ownership and close collaboration with clients to deliver high‑value, innovative solutions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and line‑manage the design team, coordinating workloads, resolving issues and ensuring delivery against timescales, KPIs and customer requirements.
• Develop team capability through performance management and targeted support.
• Lead complex, high‑value projects, delivering innovative mechanical solutions and providing expert guidance.
• Drive quality in simulation deliverables and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage non‑conformance, implement corrective actions and process improvements.
• Contribute to engineering strategy, best practices and process development.
• Define and capture design requirements, ensuring clarity throughout delivery.
• Lead internal and external design reviews and secure client acceptance.
• Provide expert technical support in mechanical engineering across projects.

Required profile

• Proven experience in designing transmission systems, gears and gearboxes.
• Strong background in producing mechanical specifications, scopes of work, calculations, drawings and schedules.
• Ability to analyse and resolve complex design issues and implement effective solutions.
• Experience managing design changes and preparing technical reports for project teams and clients.
• Confident chairing design review meetings and presenting progress.

Required skills

• Solid Edge
• Siemens NX
• AutoCAD
• Transmission system and gearbox design
• Mechanical specification and calculation development
• Quality management systems knowledge (AS9100, ISO 9001)