Principal Design Engineer

Principal Design Engineer
Wolverhampton
Hybrid

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's ""World's Best Companies 2025"" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

About Safran Actuation Systems UK

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world‑class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight‑control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

Our UK Actuation business brings together engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing capability and a proud heritage within the aerospace sector. Whether supporting major global programmes or developing the next generation of actuation technologies, our people are at the heart of everything we do.

As part of Safran's global network, joining Safran Actuation Systems UK means becoming part of a highly skilled, collaborative and forward‑thinking team with opportunities to grow, innovate and make a meaningful impact in the future of aerospace.

We are looking for passionate individuals to join our Aftermarket Design Engineering team as a Principal Design Engineer] at our Wolverhampton site.

Your Role

You will be responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering support across the full lifecycle of aerospace products in service.
Acting as a recognised technical authority, you will lead complex engineering work packages, support operational fleets, and drive engineering solutions that maintain product safety, reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Design & Product Support
* Lead the development and implementation of design solutions supporting aftermarket, in-service, and through-life support activities.
* Produce and approve detailed 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, and associated design definitions.

Configuration & Product Data Management
* Manage product configuration throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with configuration control processes.
* Create, maintain, and approve Bills of Materials (BOMs), parts lists, and product structures.

Engineering Governance & Airworthiness
* Review, author, and approve engineering documentation in accordance with delegated authority and signatory privileges.
* Support concession activities, design deviations, and non-conformance assessments.

Work Package & Project Leadership
* Lead and manage engineering work packages from initiation through to delivery.
* Define technical scope, schedules, resource requirements, risks, and deliverables.


Why Safran?

A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.

Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.

Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.

Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we'll support you to make them a reality.

A culture of excellence: Join a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whatever your background, together we aim for excellence.

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:

Competitive salary and annual bonus and pay review
25 days' holiday + bank holidays
Private medical insurance
Comprehensive health cash plan
Flexible working options
Pension (10% employer contribution) and life assurance
Early finish on Fridays
Professional development, ongoing training, mentoring
Onsite amenities: parking, restaurant, bicycle storage, showers
Family-friendly and accessible workplace policies

What You'll Bring

Essential Qualifications & Experience
* Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
* Significant engineering experience, ideally from aerospace within aftermarket, product support, in-service engineering, or sustaining engineering environments.
* Proven experience in CAD modelling and engineering drawing production.
* Strong understanding of configuration management, BOM management, and product lifecycle management processes.
* Experience managing Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), concessions, design deviations, and non-conformances.
* Demonstrated experience leading technical investigations and root cause analysis activities.
* Experience chairing or participating in formal design reviews.
* Strong stakeholder management and customer-facing experience.
* Experience leading technical work packages and multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable Experience
* Knowledge of aerospace regulatory and airworthiness requirements.
* Delegated design signatory approval authority.
* Familiarity with aerospace standards including AS9100 and configuration management requirements.