Job Description:

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Special Purpose Machinery
Location: Manchester, On-site
Salary: £40,000 - £48,000
Job type: Permanent, full-time

Design Equipment That Gets Built, Installed and Put to Work

An established engineering specialist is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to develop complex fabricated equipment, machined components and mechanical assemblies for demanding industrial environments.

This is a hands-on, manufacturing-led design role covering the full engineering lifecycle—from initial concept and site measurements through to detailed manufacturing drawings, fabrication, assembly and installation support.

You will work closely with an experienced workshop and manufacturing team, ensuring every design is practical, cost-effective and ready to manufacture.

The Role
As Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will take ownership of technically challenging projects involving fabricated structures, sheet metal components, precision-machined parts and special-purpose mechanical equipment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing mechanical equipment and assemblies from concept through to manufacture.
• Producing professional 3D models and detailed 2D manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks.
• Creating fabrication drawings for laser cutting, folding, welding and final assembly.
• Designing machined components such as shafts, housings, couplings, fixtures and sleeves.
• Developing assemblies incorporating bearings, keyways, bolted connections and other mechanical elements.
• Applying appropriate limits, fits, tolerances and machining requirements.
• Working directly with fabricators, machinists and workshop engineers to resolve technical queries.
• Supporting reverse-engineering projects and the redesign of existing equipment.
• Attending sites when required to take measurements or support installation and troubleshooting.
• Managing multiple design projects and priorities with minimal supervision.

What We’re Looking For

• Substantial mechanical design experience within special-purpose machinery, fabrication, industrial equipment or a comparable environment.
• Strong design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly knowledge.
• Proven experience producing complete manufacturing drawings from initial requirements.
• Professional-level SolidWorks capability.
• Experience using AutoCAD, DraftSight or comparable 2D CAD software.
• A strong understanding of sheet metal design, laser cutting, folding and welded fabrication.
• Experience designing precision-machined components and mechanical assemblies.
• Sound knowledge of limits and fits, ISO tolerancing standards and machining practices.
• The ability to translate engineering requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.
• An HNC, HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering.
• A full UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience designing equipment for water, wastewater or process applications.
• Knowledge of stainless steel, mild steel and engineered plastics.
• Experience taking site measurements and supporting installation or fault-finding work.
• Familiarity with both imperial and metric design standards.
• Experience within regulated, heavy-industrial or process-manufacturing environments.
• A strong understanding of material selection, availability and cost constraints.
  
  

What Will Make You Successful?
You will be a practical engineer—not simply a CAD operator. You should be comfortable challenging a concept, identifying manufacturing risks and working with the workshop to arrive at the most effective solution.

• Take ownership of projects throughout the complete design and manufacturing lifecycle.
• Design bespoke equipment rather than repeatedly modifying standard products.
• See your designs fabricated, assembled, installed and operating in the field.
• Work closely with skilled fabricators, machinists and experienced engineers.
• Join a stable engineering business delivering essential industrial projects.
• Secure a long-term position with scope to influence future designs and engineering standards.
• Receive a competitive package reflecting your technical experience and practical capability.
  
  

Apply Today
If you are an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong background in fabrication, machining and special-purpose equipment, apply today with your CV.

Candidates should be prepared to discuss examples of equipment they have designed and explain how their work progressed from initial concept through to manufacture and installation.