Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with a passion for engineering quality and technical excellence?

Do you have in-depth knowledge of BS8888, GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis? Are you confident reviewing complex engineering drawings, resolving technical issues and ensuring documentation meets the highest standards?

This is an opportunity to bring your expertise to a major defence engineering programme, helping deliver critical engineering projects within a highly regulated environment.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join a globally recognised engineering and technology partner supporting a major defence engineering programme.

In this role, you will play a key part in maintaining the accuracy, integrity and compliance of engineering drawings and technical documentation. You will use your expertise in engineering drawing standards, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, and tolerance analysis to resolve complex technical issues and support the successful delivery of engineering solutions.

Working closely with internal engineering teams, suppliers and other stakeholders, you will help ensure designs are fit for purpose, technically robust and ready for release.

If you enjoy solving engineering challenges, improving technical quality and making a tangible contribution to complex projects, this role offers an opportunity to put your expertise to work where it matters.

What you'll be doing

• Reviewing and approving engineering drawings to ensure compliance with BS8888, company standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identifying and resolving drawing non-conformances, redline comments and technical documentation issues.
• Amending and updating existing engineering drawings and associated technical documentation to achieve the required standards.
• Applying and reviewing GD&T principles to ensure drawings communicate design intent accurately and consistently.
• Performing tolerance stack-up analysis to assess dimensional compatibility, manufacturability and design integrity.
• Supporting configuration management, document control and engineering change processes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical queries and support timely drawing approvals.
• Managing supplier technical requests and reviewing submitted engineering documentation.
• Supporting engineering simulations and assessing the impact of proposed design changes.
• Ensuring drawing releases and technical records meet relevant standards, regulatory requirements and engineering best practice.
• Identifying opportunities to improve drawing quality, documentation processes and engineering compliance.

What you'll bring

To succeed in this role, you'll combine strong mechanical engineering knowledge with a meticulous approach to technical detail and the confidence to resolve complex engineering issues.

Essential experience and qualifications

- HNC in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent engineering qualification.

- Proven experience in a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer or comparable technical engineering role.

- Extensive hands-on experience reviewing, correcting and approving complex engineering drawings.

- Strong working knowledge of BS8888 and its practical application to engineering drawings.

- Demonstrable experience applying GD&T principles and interpreting engineering tolerances.

- Practical experience undertaking tolerance stack-up analysis.

- The ability to interpret, amend and correct complex drawings and associated technical documentation.

- Experience working in a highly regulated engineering environment, such as defence, aerospace, marine or advanced manufacturing.

- Familiarity with 3D CAD software, such as SolidWorks or an equivalent package.

- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

- Strong technical communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers, suppliers and wider project stakeholders.

- Excellent written and spoken English.

- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

What would set you apart?

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Previous involvement in defence engineering programmes.
• Knowledge of engineering configuration management and document control processes.
• Experience coordinating supplier technical reviews, resolving queries and supporting approvals.
• Exposure to engineering simulation activities and engineering change assessments.
• A track record of improving drawing quality, documentation compliance or engineering processes.

What's in it for you?

You'll have the opportunity to apply your engineering expertise to complex, technically challenging projects within a collaborative and supportive environment.

In return, you can expect:

- Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week onsite in Barnstaple.

- A practical route into the role, with work able to commence under BPSS clearance while SC clearance is processed, subject to the applicable project and security requirements.

- Access to accredited training and professional development opportunities.

- Collaboration with experienced engineering professionals across a major defence programme.

- The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to engineering quality, technical assurance and project delivery.

- An inclusive working environment that values diversity, accessibility and equal opportunities.

Ready to take the next step?

If you have the technical expertise to review complex engineering drawings, apply BS8888 and GD&T principles, and support high-quality engineering delivery, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today to explore how your experience could contribute to this major engineering programme.