Senior Design Engineer
Aircraft Research Association (ARA) is a unique SME and the UK’s leading independent transonic wind tunnel with a passionate workforce of engineering and aerodynamic professionals. We are a leading specialist in aerodynamic research providing complementary services and solutions to international aerospace and defence clients. Our clients include Saab, Bombardier, Boeing, Turkish Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Comac and BAE Systems.
Typical projects include producing scaled-down military and civilian aircraft models, comprising multiple parts, which are assembled together and used as highly accurate forces/pressures measuring devices within the on-site high-speed (transonic) wind tunnel.
We are looking to recruit an experienced and ambitious Senior Design Engineer to complement our established Design and Manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Design Team Leader, the successful candidate must have knowledge of modern manufacturing techniques, be a self-starter, organised, able to prioritise and used to working under pressure. Applicant should also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work individually and as part of a team.
Salary range: £40,000 – £50,000 (depending on experience)
Typical hours: Full time, 38 hours per week
This is a varied and demanding role and it involves a number of duties and responsibilities:
- Create design schemes and proposals to meet customer requirements.
- Produce 3D CAD models of parts and assemblies using CATIA V5.
- Prepare design documentation and provide technical leadership for internal/external design reviews.
- Produce engineering drawings, including relevant use of GD&T, for wind tunnel models in line with relevant standards, to support the manufacturing process.
- Carry out static stress calculations using hand methods and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to ensure designs are safe and compliant to ARA wind tunnel standards.
- Produce detailed stress reports to present stress calculations and FEA results.
- Participate in reviewing the work of others, including checking of stress reports and approval of drawings for release.
- Assist in the preparation of bids and produce technical work breakdowns for projects within the department.
- Liaise with production engineers to assist specification of manufacturing processes.
- Assist Manufacturing/Inspection/Fitting departments to resolve design issues.
- Liaise with test and rigging teams to ensure methods of best practise are applied and to facilitate efficient use of time in the transonic wind tunnel.
- Provide technical leadership for projects within the design team, working alongside other departments to deliver projects within schedule.
- Participate in the development of team members, offering support and guidance where needed.
- Lead a small team of design engineers, providing technical leadership on the given project.
- Function as a technical specialist in the mechanical design of wind tunnel models for the business
What we would like to see:
- Strong understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including mechanical design, stress analysis and engineering drawings.
- Broad knowledge within engineering discipline and understanding of wider domains and the constraints, which can influence the design.
- Extensive experience of manufacturing/production systems, procedures, machines, tools and inspection techniques.
- Be capable of applying problem-solving techniques in a logical, competent and timely manner.
- Ability to organise and manage workload in conjunction with the project manager.
- Strong project management and time-management skills.
- People management of a small team.
- Have a natural creativity and curiosity for mechanical design.
- Competent with CATIA V5
- Competent with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
The successful candidate will have 5 years’ relevant experience, with a qualification in related Mechanical Engineering or technical discipline (degree preferred). There are excellent opportunities for career development.
This is an exciting permanent opportunity for the right person to be part of a successful and highly skilled engineering company, working 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. In return, we offer a range of benefits including: a competitive salary, shift and overtime premium, where applicable; pension scheme; shares incentive plan; free parking; employee assistance programme; private health insurance and 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing after 5 years’ service).
The successful candidate must satisfy security clearance requirements – including the last 5 years continual UK residency.
Aircraft Research Association Ltd is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise the value in an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people.
If you think you are the person we are looking for, please complete the form below.
