Principal Design Engineer

White Label is working with a growing production solution provider in Wakefield, operating across defence, aerospace, automotive and advanced assembly sectors. They require a Principal Design Engineer to join their expanding engineering team.

This is a senior technical leadership role for an engineer who wants genuine ownership of complex, high-value projects. As Principal Design Engineer, you will act as Technical Lead across Special Purpose Machinery, Industrial Automation, and bespoke manufacturing solutions - taking projects from initial concept through detailed design and into build support. You will be involved from the earliest stage, working alongside the sales team to shape commercially viable engineering concepts, and will lead and coordinate other engineers throughout the project lifecycle.

My client is offering a salary of £55,000 – £60,000 + dependent on experience, plus benefits:

• 25 days holiday, rising to 28 days with length of service
• Pension (company contribution)
• Dental and health support
• Flexible, hybrid working depending on project requirements

Duties of the Principal Design Engineer

• Acting as Technical Lead on assigned projects from initial concept through design release, build, and FAT support.
• Working alongside the sales team to understand customer requirements and develop practical, commercially viable engineering concepts.
• Producing and reviewing concept layouts and detailed mechanical designs using Autodesk Inventor.
• Leading Design Engineers and coordinating input from Controls and other engineering disciplines.
• Taking responsibility for mechanical design approval and overall technical integrity of the solution.
• Leading design reviews, identifying technical risks early and ensuring designs are safe, manufacturable, and maintainable.
• Applying relevant machinery safety standards and supporting risk assessment activities.
• Estimating engineering hours and contributing to project costing and commercial performance.
• Supporting Build and Controls teams with technical queries, design changes, and troubleshooting.
• Coaching and developing other Design Engineers within the team.

Experience Required of the Principal Design Engineer

• 7+ years’ relevant engineering experience with a strong background in Special Purpose Machinery, Industrial Automation, machine building or a similar environment.
• Proven track record of taking machinery or engineered systems from concept through detailed design and into build.
• Strong mechanical engineering knowledge including materials, tolerancing, manufacturing methods and component selection.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Inventor or a comparable 3D CAD package; Autodesk Vault experience is advantageous.
• Ability to lead technical projects, coordinate engineers and make confident engineering decisions with commercial awareness.
• Comfortable developing concepts from relatively undefined customer requirements and presenting solutions directly to customers.
• Desirable: experience with robotics, industrial automation, leading design reviews, supporting FAT/SAT, and mentoring engineers.

This vacancy is being managed by Paul Smith. Apply now for immediate consideration.