Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Position: Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Sheffield

Salary: -50-65K, commensurate with experience

The Senior Mechanical Engineer leads the delivery of innovative and compliant mechanical engineering solutions across our client''s complex and high-value projects. This senior position provides technical leadership and design authority across the full project lifecycle-from concept development through to commissioning-ensuring all mechanical designs meet exacting standards for safety, quality, functionality, and cost.

As a key technical expert, the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer plays a strategic role in driving engineering excellence, approving critical design deliverables, and supporting commercial decision-making. The role combines technical depth with commercial awareness, requiring the ability to manage design budgets, influence client outcomes, and contribute to business performance.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead mechanical engineering activities across multiple projects, from concept to completion.
• Own and approve detailed mechanical designs, ensuring alignment with performance, safety, compliance, and cost objectives.
• Act as a technical authority on projects, providing direction, mentorship, and guidance to engineers and designers.
• Sign off on design outputs including calculations, drawings, substantiation reports, and compliance documentation.

Engineering Design & Delivery

• Deliver robust, validated designs that align with client specifications, legislative standards, and internal design procedures.
• Balance innovative engineering with pragmatic, commercially viable solutions that consider cost, risk, and lifecycle performance.
• Optimise use of bespoke, COTS, and MOTS components to meet technical and commercial requirements.
• Approve and oversee the creation of technical documentation including:
  • CE technical files and compliance documentation
  • Functional specifications and test plans
  • Design risk assessments
• Substantiation reports and engineering calculations
• 3D models and 2D drawings (GAs, sub-assemblies, detailed parts)

Commercial & Budget Responsibility

• Manage and monitor design phase budgets, resource allocation, and delivery timelines.
• Support project bids and proposals with technical input and engineering estimates.
• Identify cost drivers within the design and propose value engineering options where appropriate.
• Contribute to project profitability through efficient, scalable, and compliant design solutions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with project managers, software, EC&I, procurement, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver fully integrated solutions.
• Provide technical leadership during design reviews, gate checks, and multi-disciplinary design coordination meetings.
• Support the commissioning and installation teams with design queries, changes, and technical documentation.
• Act as a point of contact for clients on mechanical engineering matters, supporting stakeholder confidence and project outcomes.

Compliance & Validation

• Ensure designs comply with industry standards, safety legislation, and regulatory frameworks (e.g. CE, UKCA, Machinery Directive).
• Validate and approve design outputs through calculations, simulation, or physical testing.
• Oversee FAT/SAT preparation, prototype testing, and ensure system validation aligns with contractual and legislative requirements.

Mentorship & Development

• Support the growth and development of junior engineers through coaching, technical oversight, and knowledge sharing.
• Promote engineering best practices and continuous improvement within the mechanical design function.

Skills & Experience Required

• Significant experience in mechanical design engineering within a technically demanding, project-led environment.
• Proven track record of delivering complex engineering projects from concept to commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical principles, materials, manufacturing methods, and design for assembly.
• High proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and 2D drawing production to industry standards.
• Experience approving technical documentation for compliance and client submission.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to manage budgets, assess cost implications, and contribute to tendering.
• Skilled in producing and reviewing engineering calculations and substantiation reports.
• Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills, capable of working across departments and with clients.
• Organised, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple workstreams and priorities.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng), or working towards professional registration.
• Experience in sectors such as Defence, Nuclear, Aerospace, or Infrastructure.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., CE marking, UKCA, Machinery Directive).
• Understanding of automation, moving machinery, and integrated mechanical-electrical systems.
• Experience in the design of structures and adherence to Eurocodes.
• Experience in Finite Element Analysis and associated softwares (e.g. ANSYS)

Job Benefits

• Flexible Start and Finish Times: Shape your day with flexible start and finish times around our core working hours.
• Pension Scheme: We operate a salary sacrifice pension scheme and reinvest our savings directly back into your pension pot.
• Annual Leave: New starters receive 25 days of holiday, plus statutory bank holidays.
• Need a Few More Days? Our holiday purchase scheme lets you buy up to 3 additional days of holiday each year.
• Long Service Awards: After 5 years with us, your holiday entitlement increases by 1 day. After 10 years, it increases by another day.
• Employee Referral Scheme: Refer suitable candidates who align with our values, and you''ll be rewarded for helping us build a great team.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we''re happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.