Principal Mechanical Engineer
Salary: Up to £75,000 per annum • Location: Near Addlestone, Surrey • Hours: 37.5 hours per week • Type: Permanent
Are you a recognised Mechanical Engineering expert looking for a role where your technical decisions genuinely shape projects, products, and business performance? We’re supporting a highly innovative engineering business in the defence sector in their search for a Principal Mechanical Engineer (Mechanical SME) to act as the organisation’s go-to Subject Matter Expert across all mechanical engineering matters. This is a high-impact position focused on technical excellence, governance, problem‑solving, and innovation rather than people management—ideal for someone who wants to remain hands‑on technically while influencing engineering strategy across multiple programmes.
What’s in it for you?
- Salary up to £75,000 depending on experience, paid overtime or time off in lieu
- Flexible working hours with core hours in place, competitive employer pension contribution, private medical care, holiday closedown over Christmas
- Ongoing training and development, salary sacrifice schemes, company laptop, mobile, and home office equipment
- Relocation package available for the right candidate
Security / Eligibility Requirements
Due to the nature of the work and security clearance requirements, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must hold a British passport
- No dual nationality due to security clearance restrictions
- Ideally British-born, although applications may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis
- Must be eligible to obtain high-level UK Security Clearance / DV clearance
Principal Mechanical Engineer Role
As the Mechanical Engineering Subject Matter Expert, you will:
- Act as the recognised SME for all mechanical engineering matters across the organisation
- Provide high-level technical guidance across multiple projects and programmes
- Lead complex problem‑solving and root cause analysis for critical engineering issues
- Review and approve mechanical designs, calculations, and technical documentation
- Ensure solutions are robust, manufacturable, and aligned with operational requirements
- Support design reviews, risk assessments, and engineering assurance activities
- Act as the escalation point for high-risk or technically complex decisions
- Complete mechanical design activities from concept through to manufacture
- Support bids, proposals, and project planning with expert technical input
- Work closely with electronics, production, and test teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions
- Identify technical risks and opportunities early and recommend mitigation strategies
- Mentor and coach engineers, apprentices, and junior team members
- Drive innovation in mechanical design, engineering methods, and product improvement
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive experience in Mechanical Engineering within defence, engineering, or manufacturing environments
- Proven track record of solving complex engineering challenges
- Experience across the full product lifecycle from concept to manufacture
- Deep understanding of mechanical design, analysis, and materials
- Strong understanding of engineering standards, compliance, and safety requirements
- Ability to influence and guide teams without direct line management authority
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Chartered Engineer status, or working towards, would be advantageous
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior-level engineer to join a growing and innovative business where your expertise will have a direct impact across multiple departments and high-profile engineering programmes.
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