Principal Design Engineer – Vehicle And Powertrain Integration

Contract Position Outside IR35

On‑site/Hybrid in West Sussex

Our Client is seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Principal Design Engineer – Vehicle and Powertrain Integration on a contract basis. As part of the Global Mechanical Design team, you will lead design activities for vehicle engineering and powertrain integration, particularly for heavy‑duty and off‑highway vehicles used in defence and commercial applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptual and definitive 3D mechanical design of systems, assemblies and complex components, including integration of powertrain, steering, braking and auxiliary systems into vehicles.
• Detailed mechanical design tasks including stress calculations, FMEA, 2D detailing and tolerance stacks.
• Collaboration with FEA/Simulation teams to ensure design validation.
• Working closely with manufacturing engineers to meet DFMA requirements.
• Management of Bill of Materials (BOM).
• Creation of technical reports and documentation for engineering projects.
• Liaison with suppliers and other departments to ensure timely information flow and customer request handling.
• Coaching and mentoring of design engineers in design techniques.
• Taking on project roles such as Lead Designer, including technical planning, delegation and execution of vehicle engineering tasks.
• Ensuring all designs comply with regulatory, safety and customer standards.
• Understanding market sector trends and developments.

Job Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar field, or equivalent technical experience.
• Substantive experience in Mechanical Design Engineering with a focus on vehicle engineering and powertrain integration.
• In‑depth mechanical design knowledge in vehicle component integration, braking systems, steering systems and powertrain integration.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including interpretation of FEA and CFD results.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and experience with DFMA.
• Proficient in producing and checking 2D technical drawings with high GD/T competency.
• Experienced user of Creo Parametric and familiarity with PLM systems, preferably Windchill.
• Leadership experience in small teams.
• Advanced capabilities in Microsoft Office.
• Experience with commercial vehicle and off‑highway applications in defence is advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Willingness to work on Defence projects classified up to and including Secret.
• Willingness to work on‑site in West Sussex.
• Confident, proactive and adaptable with the ability to lead in challenging situations.
• Strong technical and report writing skills in English.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to prioritise and organise multiple projects and tasks to meet tight deadlines.

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