Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Company: ATA Recruitment
Apply for the Lead Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Clay Cross
Job Description:

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer Chesterfield

Salary: £60,000 – £80,000 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

The Company:

Our client is an EPC business specialising in the design and manufacturing of products used within the aluminium processing industry, they design a range of catalogue products and machines as well as offering a turnkey solution for large factory installations, these products are often used within the recycling and manufacturing industries.

They currently employ 90 members of staff within the UK and have experienced a turnover of over £30 million in the last year and have been established for more than 40 years in the UK.

This role has been created to support the delivery of a major new project, offering the opportunity to take full ownership of large-scale engineering packages within a globally recognised business.

The Role:

This is a senior, hands-on leadership position where you will take full ownership of mechanical design across a major project. You will be responsible for leading the design, verification, and delivery of heavy fabricated structures and integrated plant machinery, while coordinating a wide network of contractors and engineering specialists.

Working closely with internal teams and global suppliers, you will act as the key engineering point of contact, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Own the mechanical design of heavy fabricated structures, including:
    • Frames, skids, platforms, and lifting equipment
  • Produce and review 3D models and detailed engineering drawings (Autodesk Inventor)
  • Carry out engineering calculations and design verification, including:
    • FEA, fatigue, buckling, load and weld calculations
  • Ensure compliance with relevant BS/EN, ISO, CE/UKCA standards
  • Lead design reviews and provide technical guidance to engineers and contractors
  • Coordinate and manage external engineering resource (3–20 contractors across disciplines)
  • Act as the main engineering point of contact for project delivery
  • Liaise with global suppliers, fabrication partners, and site teams
  • Support live projects, including resolving on-site engineering issues
  • Oversee documentation, cost tracking, and engineering work packages

About You:

  • Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering
  • Extensive experience in mechanical design within heavy industry or plant machinery
  • Strong background in fabricated structures (platforms, walkways, steelwork)
  • Proven experience in plant machinery integration
  • Confident carrying out engineering calculations and FEA
  • Previous experience leading engineers or managing technical teams
  • Able to work independently and take full ownership of projects from day one

The Benefits:

  • Total package of up to £80,000 PA
  • 25 days holiday + bank holidays
  • 4 days in the office, with a half day Friday working from home
  • Opportunity to lead high-value, global engineering projects
  • Work within a niche, market-leading business backed by a global parent company
  • High level of autonomy and responsibility

How to Apply:

If you are an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer ready to step into a lead role, or an existing Lead Engineer looking for a new challenge, we want to hear from you.

Please send your CV to Matt Taylor at (url removed) or call (phone number removed) for more information.

ATA is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

Posted: April 2nd, 2026