Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager - Gloucester (Hybrid) - Up to £65,000 + £5,000 Car Allowance + 10% Bonus

The Company

Our client is a highly respected engineering and manufacturing business with decades of experience designing, developing and producing specialist equipment for the rail and infrastructure sectors. Renowned for innovation, quality and reliability, the company develops, manufactures and tests its products in-house, enabling the rapid delivery of bespoke engineering solutions to some of the UK''s leading rail organisations.

The Opportunity & Role

As part of a planned succession strategy, the business is seeking to appoint a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer / Design Manager to become its technical authority for product design and development. Reporting to the Operations Director, you will lead the design, development and delivery of bespoke safety-critical equipment used throughout the rail sector, working closely with customers to translate engineering challenges into practical, innovative solutions.

This highly visible role offers responsibility across the full product lifecycle, from concept development through manufacture, testing and final delivery. The successful candidate will support existing customers, drive new product development initiatives and contribute to the company''s continued growth, including opportunities within construction, utilities and forestry markets.

We are seeking a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, building strong customer relationships and seeing innovative ideas brought to life within a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment.

Essential Criteria

• Chartered Engineer (CEng)
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
• Extensive experience in mechanical design engineering within heavy engineering, material handling, lifting equipment or similar sectors
• Experience designing safety-critical fabricated products and assemblies
• Strong understanding of Machinery Directive requirements, CE Marking and UKCA compliance
• Knowledge of rail industry standards, including RIS-1530
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Experience producing technical documentation, specifications and design reports
• Strong customer-facing, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead technical projects from concept through manufacture and delivery

Salary & Package

• Up to £65,000 per annum
• £5,000 car allowance
• 10% annual bonus
• Enhanced Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement

Working Model & Location

• Gloucestershire-based manufacturing facility
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Typically 3 days on-site and 2 days remote
• Regular site presence expected due to product development and manufacturing activities
• UK customer site visits as required
• Relocation support available for the right candidate

About Ford & Stanley Group Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an ongoing basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs, and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.