Lead Design Engineer

We are seeking an exceptional Lead Design Engineer to join our key client's engineering team.  This ia fantastic opportunity for a hands-on, innovative and highly experienced mechanical engineer who thrives on solving complex design challenges, while also providing strong technical leadership across the wider engineering function.

This is a role for a proven, senior-level engineer who wants to stay close to the design bench, contributing directly to complex mechanical design, while also guiding, mentoring and reviewing the work of designers and engineers within the team. You'll be the technical authority both internally and in front of customers, driving engineering excellence across every project.

What You'll Be Responsible For

• Delivering engineering projects on time and on cost, without compromising on technical performance standards.
• Designing and delivering mechanical systems that meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Providing technical leadership to engineers and functional departments, both internally and with customers.
• Rolling up your sleeves to develop innovative engineering solutions directly alongside designers, while reviewing and signing off on their work to ensure the highest design standards.

Key Duties

• Develop engineering solutions hands-on, working closely with designers within the team.
• Check and review drawings, ensuring accuracy and design integrity.
• Prepare technical documents, including specifications, reports, manuals and procedures.
• Undertake hardware development and testing, including in the field of hydraulics.
• Compile, authorise and check technical documents and test specifications.
• Manage test programmes from planning through to execution.
• Interpret technical specifications and translate them into robust engineering solutions.
• Liaise directly with suppliers and represent the company at customer review meetings.
• Apply engineering governance across the project portfolio.
• Support production, test and field engineering teams, and assist the sales team with bids and quotations.
• Assist in planning and managing resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement of the design engineering capability, raising standards across the team.

What We're Looking For

• Significant senior-level experience in complex mechanical design
• A strong background in designing complex bespoke machinery
• Hands-on experience designing, testing and fault-finding
• A track record of taking systems from original concept design through to production in a lead engineering role — genuinely hands-on with complex design work
• An innovative, solutions-focused mindset, comfortable tackling technically demanding and complex design challenges.
• Strong leadership qualities, with experience reviewing and guiding the work of other engineers and designers.
• Excellent IT skills, including MS Office and relevant analysis tools.
• Proficiency in Inventor and Vault.

The Package

• Salary £50-65k
• Company Pension
• Flexible hours and working from home
• 25 days holiday

If you're a technically outstanding, hands-on mechanical engineer who is ready to combine deep design expertise with genuine engineering leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply immediately or contact Ruth Llewellyn at White Label Recruitment.